The internet has become integral to children's and young people’s lives. The increased time spent online is prompting questions about whether they are in control of their internet usage. The low awareness of cyber threats and their potential impact is a serious issue that translates into the proliferation of incidents due to human mistakes. 51% of EU citizens feel not at all or not well informed about cyber threats and 86% of Europeans believe that the risk of becoming a victim of cybercrime is rapidly increasing. On the other hand, Law enforcement has noted that more and more teenagers and young people are increasingly committing cybercrimes. This is an international problem that has considerable cost implications; it is estimated that crimes in cyberspace will cost the global economy $445B annually. Understanding the behavioural and developmental aspects of cyber criminality is becoming increasingly important and underlies the necessity of a shift in focus from sanctions to deterrence and prevention.

As a research project, RAYUELA aims to bring together law enforcement agencies (LEAs), sociologists, psychologists, anthropologists, legal experts, computer scientists, and engineers, to develop novel methodologies that allow a better understanding of the factors affecting online behaviour related to new ways of cyber criminality, as well as promoting the potential of these young talents for cybersecurity and technologies.

RAYUELA’s main goal is to understand better the drivers and human factors affecting certain relevant ways of cyber criminality, as well as empower and educate young people (children and teenagers primarily) in the benefits, risks, and threats intrinsically linked to the use of the Internet by playing, thus preventing and mitigating cybercriminal behaviour.

The RAYUELA project focuses on cybercrime, which has a significant cross-border impact among the EU countries, but also outside the EU. Specifically, the proposal is addressed to cybercrime related to children, teenagers, and young adults, who happen to be one of the most vulnerable populations in the EU, who must be protected and nurtured to stay safe online. RAYUELA proposes a series of solutions to help the EU in the prevention, investigation, and mitigation of cybercrime related to online grooming, cyberbullying, and human trafficking while incorporating the perspective of gender and cultural diversity. Moreover, one of the main issues to be tackled in RAYUELA will be the defence of fundamental rights, especially the right to privacy online. The project brings together key stakeholders to secure the impacts at EU level and beyond