Kids bully each other in virtual worlds too?

Once upon a time, kids who were sick of having their lunch money stolen on the playground could take refuge online and play in virtual worlds, where being punched or ridiculed might not hurt as much. But kids visiting popular websites and virtual worlds such as Webkinz, Club Penguin, Whyville and Neopets are finding there are bullies in virtual worlds too.

Kids are stealing each other's virtual goods, cheating at online games and figuring out how to swear at each other, despite chat filters that prevent bad language. Read the full story detailing some of the ingenious ways kids cheat online and the ways websites are trying to stop them.

-- Alana Semuels

Semuels, a Times staff writer, covers marketing and the L.A. tech scene.

Photo by Laurel Fan via Flickr