Background
“Youth Pathways into Cybercrime” explores the trajectories that steer young people into the path of “cyber-criminality” and highlight its implications for the cyber industry, policy, and law enforcement. Aiken, Davidson, and Amann (2016) argue for the need to focus on the psychological and social aspects of cybercrime to emphasize on deterrence and prevention; instead of merely the mechanical and technical facets which focus on just sanctions.
Theoretical Frameworks
Aiken, Davidson, and Amann (2016) maintains that there are four key areas of theoretical frameworks to consider when studying the behavioural aspects of cybercrime – namely criminology, adolescent and developmental psychology, neurobiology, and cyberpsychology. Criminological …show more content…
Young hackers tend to have high IQ, high computer literacy, curiosity about technology, tend to be males from a wide range of social classes, socially isolated but highly networked with groups of similar youths, socially awkward and withdrawn, and high need for online affiliation and affirmation.
There are also typical pathway factors that facilitate young people to engage in cyber criminality. This includes an aptitude for technology, peer pressure from like-minded individuals within the networks, compensation for lack of self-esteem by building an online reputation, perceived lack of policing in cyberspace, derivation of intrinsic pleasure from the challenge of online criminality, need for social affiliation and sense of belonging, and addiction to the behaviour. These findings have important implications for practice and policy towards preventing and mitigating …show more content…
‘White hat’ hackers and rehabilitated cyber criminals can be portrayed as ethical role models. Additionally, the introduction of cybersecurity competence within the education system can help prevent cybercrime given that the school setting provides a conducive, positive environment for creating awareness and equipping young people with the necessary cyber skills. This would also enable youths to develop cyber skills for lawful purposes. Also, cyber-awareness programmes and outreach messages should also consider incorporating hacking and cybercrime deterrent information that emphasizes the consequences of cybercrime. Using social media as a platform to disseminate the deterrence message would be key to reach out to youths.
Implications for Law Enforcement
The role of policing has become more dynamic and the threat of cybercrime needs to be faced head-on, starting from a local level. Young people involved in cybercrime are also vulnerable individuals, thus it is vital that law enforcement employs practices that have been developed for the vulnerable youths. However, it is also crucial for law enforcement to continue informing young people of the legal consequences of performing cybercrime, as well as the psychological harms that these behaviours pose.
Implications for
“Youth Pathways into Cybercrime” explores the trajectories that steer young people into the path of “cyber-criminality” and highlight its implications for the cyber industry, policy, and law enforcement. Aiken, Davidson, and Amann (2016) argue for the need to focus on the psychological and social aspects of cybercrime to emphasize on deterrence and prevention; instead of merely the mechanical and technical facets which focus on just sanctions.
Theoretical Frameworks
Aiken, Davidson, and Amann (2016) maintains that there are four key areas of theoretical frameworks to consider when studying the behavioural aspects of cybercrime – namely criminology, adolescent and developmental psychology, neurobiology, and cyberpsychology. Criminological …show more content…
Young hackers tend to have high IQ, high computer literacy, curiosity about technology, tend to be males from a wide range of social classes, socially isolated but highly networked with groups of similar youths, socially awkward and withdrawn, and high need for online affiliation and affirmation.
There are also typical pathway factors that facilitate young people to engage in cyber criminality. This includes an aptitude for technology, peer pressure from like-minded individuals within the networks, compensation for lack of self-esteem by building an online reputation, perceived lack of policing in cyberspace, derivation of intrinsic pleasure from the challenge of online criminality, need for social affiliation and sense of belonging, and addiction to the behaviour. These findings have important implications for practice and policy towards preventing and mitigating …show more content…
‘White hat’ hackers and rehabilitated cyber criminals can be portrayed as ethical role models. Additionally, the introduction of cybersecurity competence within the education system can help prevent cybercrime given that the school setting provides a conducive, positive environment for creating awareness and equipping young people with the necessary cyber skills. This would also enable youths to develop cyber skills for lawful purposes. Also, cyber-awareness programmes and outreach messages should also consider incorporating hacking and cybercrime deterrent information that emphasizes the consequences of cybercrime. Using social media as a platform to disseminate the deterrence message would be key to reach out to youths.
Implications for Law Enforcement
The role of policing has become more dynamic and the threat of cybercrime needs to be faced head-on, starting from a local level. Young people involved in cybercrime are also vulnerable individuals, thus it is vital that law enforcement employs practices that have been developed for the vulnerable youths. However, it is also crucial for law enforcement to continue informing young people of the legal consequences of performing cybercrime, as well as the psychological harms that these behaviours pose.
Implications for