Cyber Choices

The Cyber Choices programme was created to help people make informed choices and to use their cyber skills in a legal way.

Explaining the difference between legal and illegal cyber activity

Encouraging individuals to make informed choices in their use of technology

Increasing awareness of the Computer Misuse Act 1990

Promoting positive, legal cyber opportunities

Cyber offences are committed when someone is using a computer or other digital technology. There are two main types of cyber offences - cyber-enabled crime and cyber-dependent crime. Cyber-enabled crime is where technology has been used to enhance another crime, like fraud. Cyber Choices deals with cyber-dependent crimes which are offences that can only be committed through the use of technology, where the devices are both the tool for committing the crime and the target of the crime.

The Computer Misuse Act 1990 outlines the law around cyber-dependent crime. Examples of this legislation include:

Unauthorised access to computer material.

Adam watches a friend entering their username and password. Adam remembers their login details and without their permission, later logs in and reads all their messages.

Unauthorised access with intent to commit or facilitate commission of further offences.

Raj’s teacher leaves their tablet on their desk. Without their permission, Raj accesses their online shopping account and buys items with the attached credit card.

Unauthorised acts with intent to impair, or with recklessness as to impairing, operation of a computer.

Sarah is playing an online game with a friend who scores higher than her. Sarah uses a 'Booter' tool knowing it will knock them offline, so she can win the game.

Unauthorised acts causing, or creating risk of, serious damage.

Kim hacks a phone company. This hack stops some people phoning the Police when they are in danger. They didn’t mean for this to happen but they were reckless.

Making, supplying or obtaining articles for use in offence under Sections 1, 3 or 3ZA.

Robin downloads software so they can bypass login credentials and hack into a friend’s laptop, however they’ve not had a chance to use it yet.

Those with a real interest in how tech works could have a bright future ahead. Skills in coding, gaming, cyber security or anything digital-related, are in high demand, not just in the UK but also abroad which means that young people may have an opportunity to travel to interesting places whilst learning new cyber skills.

Unfortunately, the digital world can also be tempting for young people for the wrong reasons. Many are getting involved in cyber crime without realising that they are breaking the law. This can have serious consequences for someone’s broader future and not just their career.

Make no mistake, cyber crime is a serious criminal offence.

Anyone (including young people) who commits cyber crime could face:

A visit and warning from police or NCA officers

Computers being seized and being prevented from accessing the internet

A permanent criminal record

Seriously affected education and future career prospects

Restrictions on overseas travel

Up to life in prison for the most serious offences

So, if you want to increase your knowledge of cyber laws within the UK, make sure you're fully aware of the Computer Misuse Act:

Here are some more resources to get you started:

If you're interested in gaming, why not check out esports:

If you are looking to start a career in tech, have a look at the links below:

All the third party websites listed are publicly available for personal development. They are not necessarily endorsed, supported or monitored by the NCA or UK Law Enforcement. All links and web addresses were checked and verified to be correct at the time of publication.

Many young people are curious and want to explore how technology works, what vulnerabilities it has and how it interacts with other technologies. This can include learning to code or experimenting with tools discovered online.

These are great skills to have and the cyber security industry needs more people with them. Those with a real interest in how tech works could have a bright future ahead. Skills in coding, gaming, cyber security or anything digital-related, are in high demand. The average salary in the UK is £29,800 whereas in the tech industry, the average is £65,000. Specialised tech roles are particularly in demand and the average for those salaries can be tens of thousands higher!

However, some young people make poor choices and use such skills illegally, without realising they're committing a crime. The average age of someone convicted for cyber crime offences is much younger than other crime types; offenders are often teenagers.

It’s important for us to understand why more young people are becoming involved in cyber crime. This enables us to ensure that proper deterrents and alternative opportunities are available to them, so that they can enhance their skills and use them positively.

Working alongside CREST, the National Crime Agency have produced a discussion paper around young people’s pathways into cyber crime:

If your student has an interest in computers and technology, it could be valuable to encourage them to develop their skills as cyber industry professionals are in high demand. Those with a real interest in how tech works could have a bright future ahead. However, it’s important to have a discussion with them using their skills legally and the consequences of becoming involved in cyber crime. Recognising and engaging with this interest may encourage them to follow the correct and legal pathway.

There are plenty of financially rewarding and legal careers available to them. These include coding, engineering, web development, penetration testing, security operations, law enforcement, legal hacking and many more roles in both the public and private sectors.

Cyber Choices in collaboration with education partners have also developed lesson plans which explore cyber crime, decision making and victim awareness:

Here are some to get you started:

If your students are looking to start a career in tech, have a look at the links below:

We also have three downloadable posters for you to print off and pop up in your classroom:

All the third party websites listed are publicly available for personal development. They are not necessarily endorsed, supported or monitored by the NCA or UK Law Enforcement. All links and web addresses were checked and verified to be correct at the time of publication.

If you're worried someone, speak to them legal ways for using technology and the internet, the consequences of cyber crime and show them positive ways to use their skills with the resources above. “For further information, advice or assistance, please your local Cyber Choices team. You can find their details by selecting your area on the map below.

For any generic queries please the National Cyber Choices team at [email protected].

Information you provide will be held in confidence. However, If criminal offences or risks of harm are reported to us, we may pass that information on to appropriate partners, if necessary.

If you believe you have been a victim of cyber crime then please report this to Report Fraud . If you are a business, charity or other organisation which is currently suffering a live cyber attack (in progress) please call Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 .

If you are concerned online child abuse and exploitation, please visit the CEOP Education website where advice can be found.

For non-fraud or cyber crime related crime reporting please call 101 .

In all emergencies or instances where you feel you or others are in imminent danger or at risk of serious harm, call 999 .

The Young Persons Privacy Notice can be accessed by clicking here