Cyber Crime
The Cyber Choices programme is a resource created to help people make informed choices and to use their cyber skills in a legal way.
This is a national programme co-ordinated by the National Crime Agency and delivered by Cyber Choices teams within Regional Organised Crime Units and Local Police Force Cyber Teams.
The aims of the programme are:
- 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
The following documents created by the National Crime Agency ‘Cyber Offences department are for teachers and parents in order to understand the law and it’s implications for young people who engage in potentially illegal hacking activit.
Hacking it Legal | For Teachers
It’s been designed to introduce the Cyber Choices programme to teachers and explain how it can help students who may be vulnerable to becoming involved in cyber crime or have begun committing offences.
Hacking it Legal | The Computer Misuse Act 1990
The Computer Misuse Act 1990 was created to deal with the issue of accessing or modifying data without permission. Find out about it’s origins and it’s legal boundaries.
Hacking it Legal | Parents Guardians Carers
Designed to introduce the Cyber Choices programme to parents, guardians and carers, to explain how where the legal boundaries are online and give details of resources childrencan use to develop their cyber skills.
The following documents created by the National Crime Agency ‘Cyber Offences department are for children and young people.
Cyber Choices | Under 12s
Cyber Choices | 12-17
Cyber Choices | Over 18s
Elearning
Childhood in the digital age
Online safety awareness
Open Learn | Free
More information
Online safety training
E-safety training to help you keep children and young people safe online
NSPCC | £35.00
More information
Sharing nudes and semi-nudes training
Online course to help professionals respond to incidents of nude image sharing or sexting
NSPCC | £25.00
More information
Podcasts
How do we protect teenagers from sextortion scams?
Awareness and guidance
Browser Apple Podcasts Google Play Spotify
How Facebook and Instagram became marketplaces for child sex trafficking – podcast
Social Media awareness
Browser Apple Podcasts Google Play Spotify
IWF | How online predators use privacy apps (In conversation with…)
Guidance and advice
Browser Apple Podcasts Google Play Spotify
Life Online
Ofcom is launching an important new initiative to help improve online safety among communities most at risk of online harm.
Apple Podcasts Google Play Spotify
Video
Websites
Fully Human
Fully Human is the research and development arm of the PSHE Association.
Website
Think Before you Share
Aims to help open a dialogue between parents and teens amid warnings the sharing of nudes
Website
Childline
Online and telephone support helpline
Website0800 1111 Facebook Instagram
The Mix
The UK’s leading support service for young people
Website Facebook YouTube X
Documents
Generative Artificial Intelligence
Child safety risks highlighted around Gen AI include sexual grooming, sexual extortion and exposure to harmful content.
Published: 28/01/2025 Author:NSPCC
PDF
X (Formally Twitter) Checklist
Information on how to keep your X profile under your control
Published: 04/12/2024 Author:SWGFL
More information
‘So You Got Naked Online’ Released
New Version
Published: 29/11/2024 Author:SWGFL
More information
Online safety: government priorities
Its work to implement the Online Safety Act.
Published: 20/11/2024 Author:Gov.UK
Web
Classroom Resources
CyberFirst Navigators
Developed in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre, this pack supports an interactive video resource to develop students’ key knowledge, skills and behaviours — to help them navigate the risks of online life.
Category: Cyber Crime, Online Safety
Audience: KS3
Developed by: National Cyber Security Centre/PSHE Association
Duration (minutes):
Keywords:
There are 3 new lessons available in total, covering:
Lesson 1 – Cyber security and the implications/threats
Students will learn about the risks to personal information online, and how to protect personal information
Lesson 2 – Managing devices and accounts
Students will learn how to keep accounts and devices safe, and what to do if security is breached
Lesson 3 – Identifying scams and sources of support
Students will learn how to identify signs of online scams, where to report cyber security incidents and what happens when reporting
Making the right #CyberChoices
A free lesson pack to help upper KS2 pupils make safe cyber choices and prevent them from unknowingly committing cybercrime, as defined under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
Category: Crime and ASB, Cyber Crime, Online Safety
Audience: KS2
Developed by: NCA/PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): 2 x 30
Keywords:
Making the right #CyberChoices features a series of fictional characters and real-life, age-appropriate scenarios to encourage pupils to think about why young people commit cybercrime, and the potential consequences — for themselves and others. There are also opportunities for pupils to consider how the same skills being used to commit cybercrime could be used in a more positive way.
News
01/06/2025: ‘Every child will have contact with a stranger online’
Sophie was just 17 when she was contacted online by someone she believed to be a boy of her own age.
29/05/2025: Reports of Harmful Content Rise by 20% in 2024
In 2024, the Report Harmful Content service experienced a substantial growth compared to the previous year. With 6,222 cases handled (a 20.5% increase from the previous year) it’s clear that the demand for impartial, trusted support in navigating harmful online experiences is more critical than ever.
21/05/2025: Phone and shouting ban ‘transforms’ school plagued by fights
Fights arranged in school via social media, then filmed and shared online.
15/05/2025: People ‘will find a way’ to harmful content – teens
People will “no matter what, find a way” to access inappropriate and harmful content online even after a new crackdown comes into force, teenagers have said.
tester
Elearning
Certificate in Understanding County LinesFor school staff
Provider: The National College
published: £80.00
Child exploitation and drugs trafficking are illegal throughout the UK. All school staff should be aware of indicators that children are at-risk from, or are involved in, serious violent crime, including county lines, as part of their statutory safeguarding duties. This course provides you with the knowledge and skills to understand, identify and support children who may be vulnerable to exploitation and at risk of being recruited into county lines.
Child Criminal Exploitation, Gangs and County Lines TrainingUnderstanding of gang issues and county lines
Provider: Virtual College
published: £30.00
Formerly known as Gang Related Issues and County Lines this online Child Criminal Exploitation, Gangs and County Lines training has been designed to give learners a better understanding of gang issues and county lines by looking at these terms, what they mean and the signs and symptoms of abuse. The online CPD approved safeguarding training also looks at Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), its definition and how to recognise it and much more.
Podcasts
Alcohol and substance useImpact of this on young people’s mental health
It will probably come as no surprise that drinking and drug culture is a huge problem for students. Leaving home and gaining independence is a very exciting time for any student but this can come with its own problems and struggles, one of the main ones being the pressure to drink and use substances.
County Lines—breaking chains of abuse & exploitationDisrupting Exploitation Programme
Criminal Exploitation and county linesInformation and advice
In this episode, we discuss criminal exploitation and county lines. The experts are Dave, a parent whose son, Mark, became involved with gangs, and Catherine, a youth justice manager who worked with Dave and Mark and has expertise in gangs and county lines.
Say Why to DrugsInformation and advice
What should we do about the rise in children vaping?The impact of vaping on young people
Madeleine Finlay speaks to former Guardian health editor Sarah Boseley about the rise in vaping among under-18s and what can be done to discourage more children from taking up the habit. She also hears from Prof Linda Bauld about the impact of vaping on young people
Video
Websites
abiandaWorking with young women and girls affected by criminal exploitation and violence
ChildlineOnline and telephone support helpline
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night. Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
County lines (Fearless)Understanding County Lines
County Lines is a very serious issue where criminal gangs set up a drug dealing operation in a place outside their usual operating area. Gangs will move their drug dealing from big cities (e.g. London, Manchester, Liverpool etc.) to smaller towns in order to make more money. This can have a really big effect on the community who live there and bring with it serious criminal behaviour.
County lines and child criminal exploitationFacts and information
Children as young as six are being forced to carry and sell drugs far away from their homes. They are made to skip school, sleep in drug dens, keep secrets from their loved ones. They are treated as criminals when they often feel trapped in a hopeless situation.
Fully HumanFully Human is the research and development arm of the PSHE Association.
Fully Human is the research and development arm of the PSHE Association. It’s our place to think, stretch out and join the dots between this fast changing world and what might best support children and young people to navigate it.
Not In Our Community: Grooming and ExploitationProtect against grooming and exploitation.
Talk to FrankHonest information about drugs
Home Office Minister Lord Henley said ‘There are so many ways for young people to get information on drugs: through their friends, the internet, TV programmes, films and song lyrics that knowing what’s true and where the dangers lie can be difficult. It is important that young people know that FRANK will always give them free and accurate information and confidential advice whenever they need it.
The MixThe UK’s leading support service for young people
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via our online community, on social, through our free, confidential helpline or our counselling service.
Youth vaping resourcesCornwall Public Health team
In response to requests for resources on youth vaping, our Public Health team have provided this toolkit aimed at schools, colleges and other professionals who work with children and young people, as well as parents and carers. These resources have been adapted with permission from Sheffield Council who developed them with ASH (Action on Smoking and Health), a public health charity set up by the Royal College of Physicians to end the harm caused by tobacco. The resources are designed to support educators, including PSHE and safeguarding leads, parents, and carers to have evidence-based conversations and enable children and young people to make informed decisions about vaping.
Documents
Alcohol and drug treatment in secure settings 2022 to 2023: reportData
Author: Gov.UK
Published: 26-01-2024
There were 46,551 adults in alcohol and drug treatment in prisons and secure settings between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023. Numbers in treatment have increased 3% year on year for the last 2 years, with 43,607 reported in 2020 to 2021 and 45,096 in 2021 to 2022.
Nitazene (RADAR Alert)Nitazenes overview
Author: RADAR (Scotland)
Published: 01-12-2023
There is an increase in the availability of a new type of synthetic opioid drugs called nitazenes. They are also known as 2-benzyl benzimidazole opioids. Due to their unexpected presence in the drug supply and high potency, nitazenes pose a substantial risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death.
Patterns in alcohol- related violence:Exploring recent declines in alcohol- related violence in England and Wales
Author: Institute of Alcohol Studies
Published: 28-02-2023
This report examines possible explanations for the decline seen in alcohol-related violence – drawing on existing literature exploring: changing patterns in violence (e.g., Farrell et al. 2014), alcohol’s relationship with violence (e.g., Graham & Livingston 2011), and the measurement of violence (e.g., Reiner 2016).
Recreational use of nitrous oxide —a growing concern for Europe
Author: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)
Published: 23-01-2023
The purpose of this report is to examine the current situation, risks and responses to the recreational use of nitrous oxide in Europe. To support this, the report also provides a state-of-the-art review of the chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of the gas. It is intended for policymakers and practitioners.
“I don’t want to go down that road”The harms inflicted on criminally exploited children
Author: Action For Childre
Published:
In March 2024 we published the findings of the Jay Review of Criminally Exploited Children. This is our first piece of follow-up research, which examines the harms caused to exploited children and makes recommendations to ensure that these children can be safeguarded effectively.
Classroom Resources
Drug and alcohol education
Cover the statutory Health Education requirements with our drug and alcohol lesson packs
Category: Drugs, County Lines
Audience: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Developed by: PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): 30+
Keywords: drugs, county lines, alcohol
The PSHE Association drug and alcohol schemes of work for key stages 1-4 have been developed for Public Health England. This pack includes lesson plans and resources for each key stage — with knowledge organisers included — as well as a comprehensive teacher guidance document, a briefing on the evidence base underpinning effective drug and alcohol education, and governors’ briefing. Interactive PowerPoint lesson plans are also available, for members of the Association.
Drugs and alcohol education for pupils with SEND
Support pupils with SEND to explore the facts, laws, risks and consequences associated with drug and alcohol use, as well as the dangers of household products and prescribed medications.
Category: Drugs, County Lines
Audience: SEND
Developed by: PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): <60
Keywords:
These lesson plans and slides are designed to be used flexibly, and can be adapted to meet the needs and abilities of your pupils. Each lesson provides several main activities for you to choose from, which are based on the progression stages outlined in our Planning Framework for Pupils with SEND.
Preventing Involvement in Serious and Organised Crime
The lesson plans from the Home Office are designed to prevent young people becoming involved in serious and organised crime.
Category: Crime and ASB, Drugs, County Lines
Audience: KS3
Developed by: Home Office
Duration (minutes): 2×60
Keywords:
The Year 7 lesson will help students recognise unsafe or coercive friendships. The Year 9 lesson explores the impact of serious and organised crime directly, including the example of young people involved in drugs supply with a focus on county lines (transporting drugs across counties).
Vaping
KS3 form time activities
Category: Drugs
Audience: KS3
Developed by: Gov.UK
Duration (minutes): -30 mins
Keywords:
In these 3 form time sessions, students learn about social pressures around vaping, its impact, and the effects of nicotine on the adolescent brain.
Vaping year 9 lesson pack
Consequences of vaping and challenging the influences that might encourage young people to vape
Category: Drugs
Audience: KS3
Developed by: PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): 60
Keywords: vaping, consequences, harm
A year 9 lesson exploring the consequences of vaping and challenging the influences that might encourage young people to vape. Designed to follow on from the Year 9 lessons in our existing suite of drug and alcohol education lessons, this lesson will help students understand the impact of influences, influencers and marketing on vaping-related choices and behaviours, explain the consequences of vaping, including the environmental cost of e-cigarettes, analyse ways to challenge influences and misconceptions about vaping
News
16/04/2025: Disposable vape use falling in UK ahead of ban
The popularity of disposable e-cigarettes or vapes has fallen ahead of a UK-wide ban, external on their sale on 1 June, a study suggests.
31/03/2025: Some children vaping in class, say teachers (Wales)
School pupils are unable to concentrate because of the effects of nicotine and some are even vaping in class, according to teachers.
25/02/2025: Generation K: The disturbing rise of ketamine abuse among young people
At the urology department of Burnley General Hospital, 26-year-old Ryan (not his real name) is having a drug solution inserted through a catheter – part of his treatment for a condition known as ketamine bladder.
24/02/2025: Vaping ‘more dangerous than smoking’, bombshell first-of-its-kind study reveals – raises risk of THREE deadly diseases
Regularly using e-cigarettes could put users at risk of dementia, heart disease and organ failure, a bombshell study has revealed.
19/02/2025: Government launches vaping study and social media campaign on dangers
The government has launched a £62 million study to examine the impact of vaping on young people, amid the trend which has “skyrocketed” in recent years.
19/02/2025: 10-year study to shed light on youth vaping
Landmark study to investigate long-term health effects of vaping on young people’s health and wellbeing, alongside wider influences on adolescent health.
05/02/2025: ‘Alarming’ rise in strong illicit nicotine pouches
High strength nicotine pouches that are being sold illegally in the UK could cause inadvertent overdosing and harm to teenagers and young adults, experts have warned.
05/12/2024: Welcome Rise Of Numbers In Drug & Alcohol Treatment
2023/24 treatment stats show welcome (7%) rise in numbers in drug & alcohol treatment.
25/11/2024: ‘I had no idea being a social drinker would damage my liver by 31’
At 31 years old, I was told by doctors that if I didn’t stop drinking alcohol, I could die.
06/11/2024: What is the UK smoking ban and how many people still smoke?
It will be illegal for anyone currently aged 15 or under to ever buy cigarettes in the UK, under new laws proposed by the government.
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