Young People and the Law
Young People and the Law
What can really change your future
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Young People and the Law
What can really change your future
What words come to mind when you hear ‘crime’ or ‘law’?”
The law is the rules a country uses to control behaviour, protect people, and punish wrongdoing.
“What would happen if there were no laws?”
Which of these are illegal?
Sending a nude to your partner when both of you are 16–17
Filming a fight at college and sending it to a group chat
Refusing to give the police your phone PIN
Threatening someone online
But… age of consent is 16?
Yes — you can legally have sex at 16,
but you cannot create, send, keep or share sexual images until 18.
They are different laws.
Any sexual image of anyone under 18 is legally classed as an “indecent image of a child”.
Drag and Drop: Law or Myth
Law
Myth
You can be arrested for swearing
Sharing nudes under 18 is illegal
Online threats aren’t real crimes
Stealing electricity/WiFi is illegal
Electricity and WiFi are services that cost money.
If you use them without permission or payment, you are taking something that does not belong to you.
THEFT
“A 16-year-old girl sent her boyfriend a nude.
They broke up. He shared it in a group chat.”
Who broke the law?
The boy
The girl
Both of them
Neither of them
Why is the law is so strict?
Because:
• Images can be shared forever
• They are often used for blackmail
• They are used to groom young people
• Victims can never fully “take it back”
The law protects young people from exploitation — even from people they trust.
“A 17-year-old boy made a fake account to message his ex.
He kept turning up to ‘check she was okay’.”
Romantic or Stalking?
Romantic
Stalking
True or False
You can be arrested for what you post online
True
False
Online Racist Hate Posts Leading to Jail
In August 2024, two people were sentenced to prison for posting racist and abusive messages on Facebook in the UK. Police tracked the online posts, arrested them, and they pleaded guilty in court.
Have you ever posted something online you later wish you hadn’t?
Yes
No
Prefer not to say
Which crime is most common among young people?
Murder
Cybercrime
Theft
Vandalism
Place in order the Top five items stolen in UK retail
Criminal Record Reality
A record can affect:
• Jobs
• Apprenticeships
• Travel
• Uni courses
• DBS checks
Entry Declined
Australia
Canada
China
India
Iran
Israel
Japan
Kenya
New Zealand
South Africa
Taiwan
United States
True or False
Children under 10 can be charged with a crime, even if they commit it.
True
False
While children under 10 cannot be charged or prosecuted, children under 10 who break the law can face other consequences, such as:
Child Safety Orders: Supervision by a social worker or Youth Offending Team.
Local Child Curfews: Restrictions on being in public places at night.
Local Authority Care: The child may be placed under care if the behaviour stems from issues at home.
Fill in the blanks: Fun Crime Facts
The shortest prison sentence in the UK was 50 minutes
A common myth is that it is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.
A woman was fined for feeding pigeons in public.
50 minute prison sentence
A man has been given what is believed to be Britain’s shortest prison sentence of just 50 minutes.
Shane Jenkins, was told to use his time in custody to write letters of apology.
The 23-year-old appeared in court after he smashed his partner’s window with a broom and fled from police.
He pleaded guilty to damaging property, assaulting two officers and escaping custody during the incident.
“Do you think prison helps people change? Why or why not?”
Reoffending
About 30–40% of young offenders reoffend within 12 months of release or caution.
The Discussion Spinner
Agree
Disagree
Agree or Disagree: Teen brains aren’t developed enough for full blame.
If you had to make one thing illegal what would it be?
If you had to make one thing legal what would it be?
One thing you learned today
