One in five children have been found to engage in illegal activity online, with many completely unaware they are committing any cyber-crime at all.

The data comes from the National Crime Agency (NCA), which conducted a survey on children aged 10-16, showing that 20% engage in behaviours that violate the Computer Misuse Act.

The statistics rise to 25% for those who game.

“Many young people are getting involved in cyber crime without realising that they are breaking the law,” NCA deputy director Paul Foster, head of the National Cyber Crime Unit, said.

“Our message to these teenagers is simple – don’t play games with your future.”

Examples of low-level offences include downloading software to get access to another’s device, trying to access protected servers or buying something using the saved card details on someone else’s account.

Gamers who make in-game purchases without the permission of the account holder or engage in DDoS-ing are breaking the law, despite often doing so unwittingly.

Even for low level crimes, the consequences can be serious – in addition to being arrested and potentially given a criminal record, those caught can have their phone or computer taken away from them, risk expulsion from school, and face limits on their internet use, career opportunities, and international travel.

While skills in coding, gaming and cybersecurity or anything digital related are in high demand, those with these skills could risk their future if they are found in breach of the Computer Misuse Act.

The NCA is therefore calling on parents to be more aware of their children’s online actions, and to make them aware of the severity of their offenses.

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“Whether you engage in this behaviour knowingly or without realising, you are committing an offence – and could face serious consequences for your actions,” Foster added.

“We’d encourage any concerned parents and teachers to speak to young people with an interest in tech, help them understand the dangers, and highlight the many rewarding and varied careers available to them.”

The NCA’s Cyber Choices team has launched a campaign to tackle the issue for the next three weeks, including video content on Snapchat and YouTube that is expected to reach over three million young people.