Children have access to technology from a very early age, but they do not always do so safely, which can lead them, motivated by curiosity, intellectual challenge and the feeling of power, to fall into the networks of cybercriminalsengaging in illicit online activities.
Virginia Tovar lived a moment of anguish in 2016 when her son, then 13 years old, shared with her his vocation: “Mom, I want to be a hacker”; which in his mind was immediately linked to the world of cybercrime.
She already knew that her son had “an innate talent for technology” from a young age. “At just 12 years old, while other children were playing Minecraft for fun, he was already exploring codes and creating his own accessories for online games, and even selling them for five euros,” he says.
He also began talking about things that Virginia “didn’t even know existed”, such as the ‘deep web’ and the ‘dark web’, assuring her that she shouldn’t worry, that she was “in control.” The concern and fear that he would “get into trouble” finally led him to accompany his son in this company.
“It is true that there were difficult moments and a lot of anguish because I saw that my son’s technological skills could lead him down a dangerous path and all I wanted was to find a way to support him without clipping his wings, but ensuring that he used his talent responsibly,” he acknowledges.
Together they toured cybersecurity conferences, which allowed them to meet and find support from experts and professionals in the sector. This has allowed us to “show them that their site was on the light side and not the dark side,” and that today they are “part of a community that encourages the ethical use of technology.”
“Without the support of organizations like X1RedMasSegura, Incibe and companies like Kaspersky, the path would have been much more difficult and probably with a not so happy ending,” concludes this ‘cybermother’.
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What motivates young people
Virginia has told her story within the framework of a campaign with which Kaspersky seeks to help parents understand what motivates minors to embark on a criminal career online, sometimes without being aware of it, and to recognize the attitudes which may indicate that your children are already involved.
This situation is framed at a time when children have very early access to technology: almost half of Spanish minors (47%) have their first contact with a device connected to the Internet before turning 7 years old, according to the Kaspersky report ‘Being online: children and parents on the Internet’.
This same study also shows that 24.5% of Spanish parents have never talked to their children about the dangers of the digital environment, and even that 75% stated that their child did not have enough knowledge to make a safe use of the Internet.
In this context, cybercriminals take advantage of minors’ lack of knowledge about the legal consequences that illicit activities can have in the digital environment, and recruit them through online forums or video games.
They are often lured with promises of recognition and financial rewards. The motivations behind this phenomenon include the search for adrenaline, the desire to belong, and the curiosity to explore technological skills, as explained by the cybersecurity firm.
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Added to this is the attraction of cybercrime. In many films and television series, cybercriminals are portrayed as figures of admiration, making it exciting and desirable, rather than criminal activity.
The attitudes that give them away
To identify and prevent minors from entering the world of cybercrime, Kaspersky experts recommend paying special attention to changes in online behavior, that is, if your children suddenly become interested in tutorials related to cybercrime that explain, for example, how to create viruses.
“If your child spends more time than usual in front of the screen, on dark webs or specific cybercrime pages, it may be a warning sign,” the cybersecurity company warns.
You also have to be aware of changes in your technological interests. A sudden interest in programs or tools that do not correspond with your previous school activities or hobbies may indicate that you are being exposed to illicit online practices.
Likewise, they advise monitoring the interactions your children may have online, whether they have made new friends with unusual interests in technology or digital crime, and paying attention to the way you explain your activities, especially if you avoid talking about what you do’ online’ or is evasive when asked about it, as he could be hiding something.
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The Kaspersky report highlights that despite having rules in most homes, 37.5% of Spanish parents have discovered their children carrying out activities on the Internet such as talking to people they do not know (21.5% ), sharing information such as the name of the educational center where you study, phone number or photos (12.5%) and trying to find out Wi-Fi keys or passwords to connect without permission to networks or apps (5%), which represents a gap significant in the supervision of minors.
Proactive measures to protect children
Kaspersky experts advise, in addition to monitoring your children’s online activity and paying attention to their behavior, encouraging open dialogue. It is important that they explain to their children the consequences of cybercrime and online criminal activities, avoiding accusing and punishing, because this can generate a defensive response on the part of the minor.
They must also ensure that their children’s devices have adequate and reliable security solutions, which allow them to configure an age restriction that helps prevent the little ones from accessing inappropriate or dangerous content.
And, above all, educate in cybersecurity and technological responsibility, so that they understand that online crime is not just a game, but an activity with real consequences, both for them and for others. And foster an understanding of ethical standards in the use of technology that helps curb illicit behavior. Only 36% of minors have received various cybersecurity training in their educational centers, according to the Kaspersky report.