Europe is grappling with the problem of child hackers.

European countries are exploring new ways to address the problem of underage hackers with various prevention and rehabilitation programs. Some countries have strict penalties for illegal hacking, but with so many hackers under 30, is imprisonment truly the solution to cybercrime?

Illustration of a child hacker. Photo: Euronews

Mike Jones, a former hacker known by the alias H4UNT3D Hacker, stated: “Cybercrime knows no age. And unfortunately, children are innocent and vulnerable, so they largely become cybercriminals unintentionally.” Most European countries lack laws regarding juvenile crime, so they shift to rehabilitation and prevention measures. Crime prevention agencies and police forces across Europe are establishing plans to guide juvenile hackers towards legitimate and often well-paid forms of hacking.

After witnessing an increasing number of young criminals facing legal consequences due to illegal hacking, Dutch police decided it was time to take a different approach. Floor Jansen, Head of the Cyber Crime Prevention Unit (COPS) of the Dutch police, explained: “We work with private companies, the public sector, and teachers to help children become more aware and inform them about what is illegal, as well as the consequences for themselves and victims. In this way, at least they can make informed choices, whether they become criminals or white-hat hackers.”

To attract young people, COPS established HACK_Right, a rehabilitation program for first-time offenders aged 12 to 30. “The aim of the project is to teach offenders how they can effectively use their IT skills,” Jansen said.

The Dutch model has been replicated in countries such as Denmark and Finland. Finnish police introduced the Cybercrime Escape Project in 2020. Targeting teenagers aged 12 to 25, the initiative aims to guide young people away from criminal activity.

In the UK, the National Crime Agency (NCA) held its first weekend camp for cybercriminals in 2017. The weekend course, organized by Cyber Security Challenge UK, introduced former offenders to legal ways to leverage their skills, such as working in cybersecurity. The NCA also established Cyber Choices, an online portal providing parents and guardians with knowledge about the risks of cybercrime and how to guide gifted children down the right path, while ensuring they understand the consequences of engaging in illegal activities.

A study titled "Youth's Path to Cybercrime," conducted by the European Police Agency Europol, shows similarities between hacking and addiction to substances like drugs and alcohol, due to the rapid release of dopamine caused by hacking. Although rehabilitation is often difficult, Dutch Police Chief F. Jansen believes that intervention measures should always be prioritized over imprisonment: "As law enforcement agencies, we must be present from the outset to implement preventative interventions, not just arrest and pursue."

LAM DIEN

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