How young people can use their online gaming skills to fight cybercrime – and what parents can do to help them | From play to goal

The rapid development of technology can create a digital divide between parents and their teens. Generation

At the same time, cyber attacks are increasingly in the news, with major players across a range of industries falling victim. Among the people being investigated for these hacks are young people with advanced digital skills. In fact, according to the National Crime Agency, one in five children engage in behavior that breaches the Computer Misuse Act, which criminalises unauthorized access to computer systems and data. The number is even higher for those who play, at 25%.

That’s why the cooperative takes a different approach to prevention. As part of its long-term strategy to support young people in putting their tech skills to good use, the Co-op has partnered with The Hacking Games, dedicated to helping high-achieving gamers land careers in cybersecurity.

This joint approach is important because, as Greg Francis, former senior NCA official and director of 4D Cyber ​​Security, explains: “It takes a digital village to raise a digital citizen.” Early intervention is key and parents have an important role to play. “Parents are extremely important because they have a lot of influence, but they can’t be negative, and they need to have a basic understanding of the hacker world,” says Francis, who is also the Internet Ambassador for The Hacking Games. So where should you start?

Take a judgment-free interest

First, know that interest in piracy is not necessarily a cause for panic.

“Ethical hacking is a rapidly evolving world, and it is understandable that children would be interested in it as an exciting way to use the skills they have developed online,” says Len Berry, chief executive of children’s charity Barnardo’s, which is teaming up with the Co-op to raise money to support creating positive futures for young people.

Keeping conversations open is vital, as is starting them early. “The best time to start is today,” Perry says. “Once your child starts showing interest in online technology, this is the right time. Conversations should be frequent and age-appropriate, so that an open dialogue is maintained.”

She recommends getting involved in your child’s online life when they are young. “Use technology together and discuss what to do if something unusual or scary comes up. As they get older, they will need more independence, but regular dialogue will still allow children to lead the conversation, ask questions and share concerns.”

For those who came of age in a digital age far more basic than their children, understanding the evolving world of online gaming — dominated by titles like Roblox, Minecraft, and Call of Duty — can seem impossible. But both Francis and Perry stress that you don’t have to know everything to be able to offer support.

Parents of avid gamers should check the age ratings and take advantage of parental controls, including friends-only features to keep in-game chat functions safer. The Ask About Games online initiative contains detailed information on the most popular games and guides to setting up safety controls.

It’s also worth asking if the young player has been “booted” offline. Bootstrapping is a form of DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) where a player hijacks another player’s IP address and floods them with so much data that they shut down their internet. For online gamers, bootstrapping may seem like a harmless way to get an edge over their online competitors, but it’s dangerous. As Francis explains: “What they don’t realize is that this is a violation of the Computer Misuse Act.” In fact, DDoSing/booting could be one of the first steps on the path to cybercrime identified by Francis in his work with the Multi-Agency Prevention Program.

Asking questions goes hand in hand with noticing red flags like spending too much time online gaming, social isolation, unexplained fatigue, unusual equipment or new technology purchases (especially if you don’t know how to pay for it) and multiple email addresses. Just one of these signs is not necessarily serious, but combined they can be a cause for concern.

Mary* has first-hand experience dealing with these red flags. “I had a son who hacked the dark web,” she says. “He would lock himself in his room, avoid sleeping, and I had no idea what he was doing.” “I met with a cybersecurity expert and told him about the challenges I was having with my son. Turns out he was on the dark web trying to get into the world of cryptocurrencies; he was 13 at the time.”

A new path for nervous young people

For neurodiverse young people in particular, gaming and spending time online can have a huge upside when it comes to things like socializing, and providing a way to turn off and regulate their emotions. At the same time, it is important to remember that despite all these benefits, the negative aspects of Internet or gaming addiction, as well as the risks associated with falling into cybercrime, remain significant.

However, with more than 50% of tech workers identifying as neurodivergent, according to the Tech Talent Charter, there is significant opportunity for young people with neurodivergence in this sector. For this reason, Hacking Games directly targets “digital rebels” with “raw talent” and “unconventional minds,” matching them with cybersecurity jobs and mentors, as well as providing community via a group chat on Discord.

In fact, mentorship and awareness of career paths can make a difference, as Mary attests. “The internet expert supported my son as a trusted source and then eventually ended up directing him to me,” she says. “He spent time making my son understand that his skills could be put to great use, so that he could see the positive side of using his skills online, and as a result, my son also ended up helping others.”

Although this problem may seem alarming, there are ways parents can intervene at every stage. Ensuring you remain curious and compassionate, rather than judgmental, is key to helping your child stay on the right path. Here are some important tips for parents who are concerned about their children.

1 Conversations about online gaming safety should start early and be compassionate rather than condemnatory. Staying calm helps keep communication open.

2 You don’t need to know everything, but healthy curiosity goes a long way. Ask questions about the games your children play and where they spend their time online. Think of it this way: You’ll be asking these questions about the people they’re playing with on the field, so you should ask the same thing of their online community. Look for red flags like strangers befriending them, people offering them free stuff, or inviting them into new worlds or games without their friends. These are all red flags.

3 Be proactive. Age ratings for toys are useful for a reason, but the best way to judge what’s right for your child is to take turns playing the toys with them yourself, or at least watch them play. When it comes to pathways to cybercrime, it is also worth noting that children and young people are just as likely to be recruited for Minecraft as they are for Call of Duty. It’s very easy for young people to want to find extra in-game money or cheat to get better equipment. This is how you can start.

4 Look for red flags like social isolation, excessive time spent gaming online, lack of sleep, unjustified technology purchases and multiple email addresses.

5 Talk to your child’s school. Ask them how they encourage digital responsibility and reach out to their computer science teacher, who will likely know students who need dedicated outlets for their skills. This may be an early opportunity for them to channel their talents in a positive direction through programs like CyberFirst and Cyber ​​Choices, or coding communities like Girls Who Code.

*Mary’s name has been changed to protect her family’s identity

Find out more

Help keep children and young people safe online with Barnardo’s online safety tips