When most people see pictures of teenage boys playing water polo, they think sports. But it's what some other people are seeing in those photos that has parents of the youngsters alarmed.

Several gay adult Web sites have posted photos of teenage water polo players from several high schools in Southern California. The Orange County Register says some of the pictures were displayed next to photos of graphic sexual content, as well as of other young men who were nude.

In some cases, the polo-playing boys were as young as 14.

Parents, coaches and school officials are outraged and upset over the misuse of the photos. And parents say some of the boys have been traumatized to the point where they have sought counseling.

Meanwhile, police at the University of California at Irvine say they are investigating whether a campus police dispatcher had photographed the high school athletes for the gay-oriented sites.

It isn't clear if posting the pictures constituted an offense.