Child exploitation isn't restricted to real life alone. According to Illinois Congressman Mark Kirk, it can take place online as well, especially in such thriving virtual communities as Linden Lab's Second Life. That's precisely why the congressman sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission requesting a consumer-alert warning about such dangers.

Kirk admitted, however, that he knew of no actual cases in Second Life wherein children were targeted by sexual predators. However, one of the congressman's aides did have an eye-opening experience when creating an account last week.

Mark Kirk's aide tried - and failed - to log in as a 10-year-old in Second Life. The aide said that she was later able to gain access using the same e-mail address by claiming she was 18. Within half an hour, she was reportedly perusing pornography and roaming around "virtual rape rooms" and drug dens.

For its part, Linden Lab released a statement saying that: "Members of the Second Life community, including Linden Lab staff, actively monitor against minors accessing the [adult portion of the] service." Nevertheless, company officials acknowledged that it's possible for adults to get into the district normally reserved for teens and kids, and vice versa.