Children as Young as Seven Are Becoming Cybercriminals

Britain's cybercrime program sees young children in hacking; experts urge better cybersecurity careers to combat rising teen cybercrime.

By Content Team

Dec 6, 2025

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Britain's cybercrime intervention programme is seeing children as young as seven referred for hacking, with the average age just 15. The National Crime Agency reports year-on-year increases in referrals, mostly gamers aged 10-16, while UK business hack payouts have rocketed 230%.

Former cybercriminals Ricky Handschumacher and Joseph Harris warn the problem is getting worse. Both started hacking as teenagers through gaming - Handschumacher via Halo 3, Harris through Club Penguin at age 12. Gaming serves as a major pathway since 97% of children aged 8-17 participate.

Recent attacks cost millions: Marks & Spencer lost £136m, Jaguar Land Rover's shutdown caused £1.9bn in UK economic disruption. Teenagers were suspects in major cases including Co-op and Transport for London breaches.

Experts say bored, isolated kids seek community and status in hacking forums. The solution requires better cybersecurity career pathways and higher bug bounty payments to compete with criminal profits.

Source: Sky News

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