According to a new report by CNBC, gaming websites that allow access to cheat codes and mods could lead to more young people developing criminal skills in activities such as hacking, as well as making them more likely to be involved in hacking chat rooms.
This information comes from the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), which also claims that the availability of tutorials for Remote Access Trojan malware programs and DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks are making the barrier for cybercrime much lower too.
Also, the report suggests that more young people may be attracted to these sorts of activities as they don't comprehend them as illegal, especially if there's no financial gain.
"There is great value in reaching young people before they ever become involved in cybercrime, when their skills can still be a force for good," the NCA did suggest, however. "The aim of this assessment has been to understand the pathways offenders take, and identify the most effective intervention points to divert them towards a more positive path."
"That can be as simple as highlighting opportunities in coding and programming, or jobs in the gaming and cyber industries, which still give them the sense of accomplishment and respect they are seeking."
Cybercrime is allegedly growing in young people, with one in 10 between the ages of 16 and 19 in the UK in contact with someone who has participated in such acitivites which could be deemed illegal, according to a Kaspersky Lab report, which also suggests that 35% would be impressed if a friend hacked into a bank's website.
How do you think young people can be tempted away from cybercrime?