Who is most at risk?
- Young people most likely to get involved in cyber criminality are likely to have a deep interest in technology.
- This is often sparked by an enthusiasm for gaming, which may have led to visiting websites and forums which share computer game cheat codes. These scenarios can be a breeding ground for malware coding and other cyber criminality.
- They may not be sufficiently challenged by school, college or university technology syllabus content.
- In some (but by no means all) cases, they have been diagnosed with forms of autism or Asperger’s Syndrome.
Research by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) suggests that people as young as 12 years old could be at risk of becoming involved in cyber-dependent criminality. Some reap rich financial rewards, but for others the objective is to complete a challenge, gain a sense of achievement and win a ‘badge of honour’ within their peer group. Most of those affected perceive the likelihood of encountering law enforcement as low, with some not even realising that their actions represent criminal activity.
As a parent or carer, you are unlikely to suspect any criminal activity if a young person in your household spends long periods online, in fact you may think that they are protected as they are ‘safe indoors’.
Potential consequences
- A visit from law enforcement officers resulting in a warning or possible arrest, fines and/or imprisonment.
- A court order restricting internet access.
- A criminal record, that could affect education and career prospects.
Types of cybercrime
- Cyber-dependent crimes (or ‘pure’ cybercrimes) are those that can only be committed using a computer, computer networks or other forms of information communications technology (ICT). An example of a cyber-dependent crime would be conducting a denial-of-service attack, designed to flood a website with traffic in order to stop it operating
- Cyber-enabled crimes are traditional crimes which can be increase in their scale or reach by the use of computers and the internet. Examples would be online mass-marketing frauds and consumer scams.
If you have a concern
If you are concerned that your child or another young person you know is making the wrong cyber choices, you should contact the Cyber Prevent team in your local Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU).
Careers using coding and other computer skills
There are many opportunities for teenagers to turn their coding and other computer talents to satisfying and financially rewarding careers. The chronic UK-wide and global cyber skills shortage has resulted in a huge number of such opportunities in gaming, social media and other tech companies, and government and law enforcement agencies.
Please see the following links for guidance:
CYBER SECURITY CHALLENGE
Programmes designed to identify, inspire and enable more people to become cyber security professionals www.cybersecuritychallenge.org.uk
NCSC CYBER FIRST
Developing the UK’s next generation of cyber professionals through student bursaries, courses and competitions www.cyberfirst.ncsc.gov.uk
IMMERSIVE LABS
Free (for students) – online browser-based virtual learning for all abilities www.immersivelabs.com
CYBRARY
Free online Cybersecurity training with a choice of hundreds of courses http://www.cybrary.it
KHAN ACADEMY
Free online videos, exercises, programmes in cybersecurity www.khanacademy.org
NCA video
Watch the NCA’s video on helping young people make the right #cyberchoices at
Resource for teachers
Cyber Security Challenge UK has developed free teaching resources to help parents and teachers raise awareness of cybercrime amongst young people.
