Juvenile Delinquency, Gangs, and Cyber Crime: Key Concepts and Prevention Strategies

What are the primary reasons individuals join gangs?

Gangs offer a lifestyle of physical protection, camaraderie, wealth, and power.

How is a gang defined?

A gang is a group of three or more people who identify as members, use intimidation, engage in criminal activity, and maintain a reputation.

What are the different types of gangs?

Types include scavenger gangs, territorial gangs, corporate gangs, hedonistic gangs, instrumental gangs, and predatory gangs.

What is a scavenger gang?

A disorganized gang that preys on the defenseless.

What characterizes a territorial gang?

They control turf for selling narcotics.

What is the focus of corporate gangs?

They are organized for economic success.

What is the primary goal of instrumental gangs?

To achieve economic success through theft, burglary, or robbery.

What are common risk factors for school shooters?

Most are white males who obtained firearms from family members and exhibit aggressive behavior, antisocial beliefs, or emotional distress.

What family risk factors contribute to juvenile delinquency?

High family disruption, low income, inconsistent parenting, low parental education, and parental substance abuse.

What social risk factors are associated with juvenile delinquency?

Associating with delinquent peers, gang involvement, poor academic performance, and low involvement in prosocial activities.

What are some protective factors for families against juvenile delinquency?

Open communication with parents, consistent parental presence, family connectedness, and positive coping strategies.

What individual protective factors can reduce juvenile delinquency?

Social skills, high IQ, academic achievement, intolerance towards deviance, and a positive social environment.

What are some social protective factors for youth?

Commitment to school, supportive friends, and involvement in prosocial activities.

What is the federal Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act?

It requires a 5-day waiting period and a mandatory background check for handgun purchases.

What is the legal age for handgun possession in the U.S.?

18 years old.

What are the categories of bullying?

Cyber, damage, exclusion, physical, racial, rumors, sexual, threat, and verbal.

What is Operation Ceasefire?

A Boston policing program aimed at deterring interstate gun traffickers.

What is cyber crime?

Any crime that uses technology, including online theft and terrorist activities.

What is cyber stalking?

A form of cyber dating abuse that can involve low-tech methods like shared passwords or high-tech methods like spyware.

What was the significance of Elonis v. United States?

It addressed issues related to online threats and free speech.

Who was the first juvenile convicted of cyber crime?

Jonathan James, who hacked into NASA and other government systems at age 15.

What is swatting?

The act of making a false report to emergency services to provoke a police response to a specific location.

What are evidence-based programs?

Initiatives with proven effectiveness through randomized control studies.

What is the role of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)?

To research programs, provide training, and assist in grant funding for juvenile justice issues.

What is the focus of life-skills training programs?

To prevent drug and alcohol use, violence, and risky behaviors among youth.

What is the purpose of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America?

To provide a safe and positive environment for youth after school.

What is the Homebuilders program?

An in-home program that works with at-risk children and families to improve parenting skills and family communication.