Lightning Talk: Harnessing Education Strategies to Safeguard Youth from Cybercrime & Online Victimization in New & Emerging Technologies

Session Submission Type: Lightning Talk Session

Abstract/Description

We are at a transformative moment for digital safety worldwide, as cybercrime and online harms continue to grow and evolve. Across the globe, societies are relying on technology and cyberspace more than ever before, for daily needs like communication, information, education, employment, entertainment, and more. Globally, young people typically spend long periods of time on digital devices while engagement with immersive technologies such as AI and virtual reality headsets have rocketed (IET, 2023). New technologies bring a range of positive features for young people’s cognitive, social and emotional development, but also an increased opportunity for engaging in delinquent or criminal activities, as well as exposure to online grooming and other forms of harm, harassment or child abuse. Evidence-led education and awareness raising campaigns are vital to combat online victimization and the perpetration of cybercrime in these new terrains. However, society is not yet equipped with the understanding, tools or the skills that are needed to try to mitigate this terrain for young technology users. This panel will discuss the future role education can play in safeguarding youth in emerging cyber-spheres, across a range of theoretical and practical contexts.

Sub Unit

• Area XIII. Lightning Talks

Individual Presentations

• Tackling Youth Cybercrime Perpetration: Highlights from Interviews with Youth Cybercrime Experts & Convicted Cybercriminals - Julia Davidson, University of East London; Ruby Rosemarie Farr, University of East London

• The Future of Safeguarding Children in New Immersive Technologies: The Cruciality of Evidence-led Tools for Schools - Ruby Rosemarie Farr, University of East London; Julia Davidson, University of East London

• The Need For Evidence-Led Interventions For Ideological Cybercrimes - Thomas J. Holt, Michigan State University

• Teaching 21st Century Digital Skills to Help Users Navigate the Internet Safely and Civilly - Lauren R. Shapiro, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• ‘Block, report, or move on” — What the experience of LGBTQIA+ college students tells us about online safety measures - Paul Bleakley, University of New Haven; Megan M. Trafford, University of New Haven

• Child Online Protection in Africa: Implementing an Evidence-led Policy and 5-Year Plan in Rwanda and Beyond - Julia Davidson, University of East London