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.
National Crime Agency
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
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
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
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
23/06/2025: Mobile phones banned in schools from September (Jersey)
The Government of Jersey will not allow mobile phone use at its schools and colleges from the start of September, parents have been told.
23/06/2025: IWF joins with partners to transform the global response for victims and survivors of online child sexual abuse
The Internet Watch Foundation has joined with a consortium of partners to develop the Artemis Survivor Hub (ASH) – a revolutionary, victim-focused response to online child sexual exploitation.
18/06/2025: AI puts real child sex victims at risk, experts say
An increase in sophisticated AI-generated images of child abuse could result in police and other agencies chasing “fake” rather than genuine abuse, a charity has said.
08/06/2025: UK government looking at social media ‘app caps’ for children, minister suggests
Peter Kyle, understood to be considering two-hour curfews, says he wants to foster healthy relationships with tech.