Police to create awareness among youths of cyber crime

The police will be active on online platforms and focus on chatting with young people from February 17 to 23, said police in a press release on Friday.

The aim of the nationwide monitoring week is to increase young people’s awareness of cyber crime phenomena, to prevent youngsters from becoming involved in criminal networks and to discuss the impacts of the online phenomena on young people’s lives.

Police officers from police units from all over Finland, working in the social media, will participate in the monitoring campaign and be available to young people throughout the week.

“Adolescents spend a lot of time online, which is why the police should also be present in the cyber world. We have been looking for new ways to reach young people, one of which is the Gaming Police project. Officers participating in the Gaming Police activity will be present at the Assembly event at the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Centre and produce content on site for their channels, including Twitch streams on Thursday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.," said Chief Superintendent of the National Police Board Miia Lehtinen.

Preventing youth crime is a key objective of the police in 2025.

“The police have considered how to combat youth crime with a broad-based approach, and how best to target relevant measures. More effective criminal investigation, measures aimed at breaking the spiral of crime, referral to help and support, and smooth cooperation between the authorities are examples of the methods identified,” said Sanna Heikinheimo, Deputy National Police Commissioner.

The increase of youth crime continues nationwide with regard to serious crimes, particularly among juveniles under the age of 15.

Youth violence typically occurs in groups, and typical youth crimes include robberies and malicious damage, where the same young people can be both the perpetrators and victims.

A small group of juveniles commit most crimes and some of these youngsters commit serious crimes already at a very young age.

Young people take photos and videos of the acts of violence and publish them on social media. In this way, young people seek respect from their peers, which is an extremely worrying phenomenon.

A criminal lifestyle is glorified and the seriousness of the acts is not necessarily understood. This glorification of the criminal lifestyle is also known as the Roadman culture.

However, the Roadman style can only involve a certain style of dressing and should not be confused with crime, but the case is different if the young person who follows this dress code also commits crimes.

According to the police’s experience, the Roadman culture has often preceded the young person's joining a street gang.

Young people experiencing challenges in life management, having problems with substance abuse and school attendance are often vulnerable to inappropriate influence also online.

It is important to recognise and understand this phenomenon. More safe adults should be present online and parents should also be aware of the risks so that they can support their young.

During the monitoring week, the police will share tips with young people on how to identify the risks of the cyber world and protect themselves against crime.

The topics discussed in the channels of the Gaming Police and other police operating on social media include online fraud, the Roadman culture and crimes experienced by young people.