Cyber crime is criminal activity committed using computers and/or the internet and can pose a risk to young people. It is deemed as a tier 1 threat to the UK. Cyber-enabled, or cyber-dependent offences, have a much lower than average age of conviction compared to traditional crimes, and is why these are now included in national policy.
Keeping Children Safe in Education classifies cyber crime as follows:
unauthorised access to computers (illegal ‘hacking’), for example accessing a school’s computer network to look for test paper answers or change grades awarded
‘Denial of Service’ (Dos or DDoS) attacks or ‘booting’. These are attempts to make
a computer, network or website unavailable by overwhelming it with internet traffic
from multiple sources, and,
making, supplying or obtaining malware (malicious software) such as viruses,
spyware, ransomware, botnets and Remote Access Trojans with the intent to
commit further offence, including those above.
If there are concerns about a child in this area, the designated safeguarding lead (or a deputy), should consider referring into the Cyber Choices programme. This is a nationwide police programme supported by the Home Office and led by the National Crime Agency, working with regional and local policing. It aims to intervene where young people are at risk of committing, or being drawn into, low level cyber-dependent offences and divert them to a more positive use of their skills and interests.
Cyber Choices work with staff and young people at risk to make sure they are aware of the laws around the use of computers and to encourage them to use their skills in a positive manner. This is a great alternative to suspension or expulsion for schools who have experienced a cyber related incident by a student. It is also beneficial for those who appear to have keen interest in Cyber or very high technical skills, but may need advice around the ethical uses as to make sure they do not unintentionally cross the legal lines.
Cyber Choice can work with school and safeguarding staff (for free) to increase their safeguarding knowledge in this area.
How can you support the young person and their care givers?
You can signpost them to the resources on the National Crime Agency website, or you can arrange a meeting with them and your regional cyber crime unit.
You can contact your regional cyber crime unit via SWCyberPrevent@avonandsomerset.police.uk to arrange training, ask for advice or refer a student for support
Please check out the Cyber Choices and the SWRCCU.pfd (260 KB) leaflet and SWRCCU.pptx (278 KB) presentation for further information.
Hacking it Legal.pdf (2.28 MB) - teachers leaflet from Cyber Choices.
Cyber Smart resources - primary aged lessons plans and activities from Barefoot Computing in collaboration with the National Crime Agency.
Exploring Cybercrime - PHSE Association resources to teach about the causes and effects of cybercrime, and how to avoid it.