Why cybercrime isn’t fun and (video) games

For young people, the internet can be a vital source of information, recreation, escape and more, but without the right guidance it can also be unsafe. Online games particularly make prime targets for cybercriminals, and there are also concerns that gaming networks can lead players astray, or even act as a criminal breeding ground.

Whatever the reasons might be, the fact is that teenagers are getting involved in cybercrime at an increasingly early age. According to recent statistics by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), for example, the average age of cybercrime suspects over the last year was just 17 years-old, dropping dramatically from 24 years-old the previous year. This is clearly a worrying shift, and – according to the NCA – it could stem from a lack of understanding around what constitutes cybercrime.

Why cybercrime isn’t fun and (video) games