Pathways into and out of Youth Cybercrime by Davidson, Julia; Farr, Ruby;

Short description:

This book provides a multi-disciplinary understanding of pathways into and out of youth cybercrime, and evidence-led ways to tackle the cybercrime epidemic, drawing on theoretical perspectives and insights from the largest European H2020 study of youth cybercrime undertaken to date.

Long description:

This book provides a multi-disciplinary understanding of pathways into and out of youth cybercrime, and evidence-led ways to tackle the cybercrime epidemic, drawing on theoretical perspectives and insights from the largest European H2020 study of youth cybercrime undertaken to date.

As societies are incorporating cyberspace into daily routines, people are increasingly at risk of exposure to cybercriminal activity. Many young people today are never truly offline; there is no dichotomy of being online and offline. This exposure - coupled with the criminogenic potential of digital technology - has led to an explosion of cybercrime perpetration and victimisation; impacting youth in particular. This book seeks to address critical gaps in knowledge, support evidence-based interventions, and inform future digital safety and prevention strategies by bringing together research, policy discussions, and the voices of experts, convicted cybercriminals, and young people. It draws upon key theoretical perspectives and new research conducted in the context of a H2020 project exploring the drivers of cybercrime. It is underpinned by the voices of the youth, experts and convicted cybercriminals who took part, whose perspectives are key to shaping evidence-led recommendations for policy and practice.

This book is intended for academics, frontline professionals, policymakers, child protection professionals, law enforcement, and technology developers committed to creating safer digital environments for children and young people.

The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons [Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND)] 4.0 license.

A compelling exploration of youth cybercrime, this book presents rigorous research into the factors driving young people to engage in illicit online behaviour. Essential reading for academics and practitioners—offering both key insights and practical tools for those seeking to understand and address this growing threat.

Dr Katie Logos, Lecturer of Criminology at the University of Adelaide


This book presents a unique, multidisciplinary investigation into youth cybercrime based on three rich datasets, including the first international interviews with convicted offenders. It also offers new data into the drivers of cybercrime and practical guidance for researchers and policymakers tackling this complex issue.

Professor Elena Martellozzo, Director of the European Hub at Childlight Global Child Safety Institute and Professor of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Research

Table of Contents:

1. Conceptualizing Cybercrime: Origins, Evolutions and Future Landscapes 2. Understanding Youth Cybercrime: A Holistic, Multi-Disciplinary Approach 3. “Give them a chance to integrate and use their skills for good”: Insights from Youth Cybercrime Experts 4. Cybercrime and Online Risk Taking: Insights from young people across Europe 5. ‘It was a series of clicks, that was all’ Understanding the Offender Perspective: The ‘Lived-Experience’ 6. Key Youth Cybercrime Insights: Looking Ahead to Implications for Policy and Practice