Classification Models for Preventing Juvenile Crimes Committed with Malware Apps

Abstract

Spectacular developments that were recorded in the field of software engineering in recent years have led to the influx of software industry with series of computer apps such as dating apps, games apps, entertainment apps, banking apps, Photoshop apps, meetings and virtual conferencing apps. Studies have shown that most computer apps are widely accessible to adults and juveniles to download and effortlessly navigate through them. However, researchers have now revealed the existence of malware apps as new groups of computer apps that are strongly competing with legitimate computer apps and the latest rates at which some juveniles can adopt them to commit crimes. These discoveries have raised serious doubts about the elements of the crimes, the circumstances that surround vulnerable children to commit the crimes and how these dilemmas are rarely buttressed by pragmatic studies over the years. This chapter adopts mixed methods to critically explore the above issues. Qualitative interviews of 60 teenagers (between the ages of 10 and 17) and 20 grown-up children (between the ages of 18 and 22) together with 5 professionals were carried out. The analysis extended the generic elements of juvenile crime and raised new legal dilemmas regarding the concepts of transfer of criminal liability, compelled (or obligated) liability, ‘act’ that constitutes juvenile crimes and the restrictive applicability regarding criminal consent of extremely young children that are still under the tutelage and guidance of their parents.