Young, connected – and exposed: How cybercrime is preying on SA’s youth

Why SA’s young people are vulnerable because of their digital fluency

South Africa is one of the most mobile-centric nations in the world. With over 95% of internet users in the country accessing it via smartphones, and youth forming the bulk of this demographic, this always-online behaviour creates exposure at scale. Add in rising financial independence through mobile wallets, gig work, and social commerce – and you have a highly monetizable attack surface.

Young people aren’t just using digital tools – they’re building livelihoods with them. But this blurs the line between personal, professional and financial data. And that convergence is exactly what cybercriminals love to exploit.

The top cyber threats targeting South African youth

1. Phishing disguised as giveaways and scholarships
   Instagram, TikTok, X, and WhatsApp groups are flooded with fake bursary ads, competitions, and follower-boosting schemes – all engineered to harvest personal or banking details.
2. Fake job offers
   Desperate to enter the workforce, young South Africans are falling victim to scam recruiters requesting admin fees or identity documents for jobs that don’t exist. These schemes also build databases for future fraud.
3. SIM swap and mobile money fraud
   Once criminals gain access to mobile-linked accounts, they intercept one-time passwords (OTPs) and drain wallets in seconds. In Uganda, a single SIM swap incident caused losses of over$3.2 million– and South African youth are just as exposed.

It’s not just a personal risk – it’s a business one too

As young professionals enter the workforce, they bring their digital habits with them – often using the same compromised devices and passwords in the work environment.

From BYOD to remote work, the line between home and corporate networks is almost non-existent for many junior staff. If a young employee’s phone is compromised, your business data may already be in the wrong hands.

What can be done?

For individuals:

• Use strong, unique passwords – and enable multifactor authentication.
• Be cautious about app downloads – only install from official sources with ample reviews.
• Lock down social media – avoid sharing your ID number, school name, or bank you’re with online – it can easily happen accidentally with a bill/bank card visible in a selfie, for example.

For parents:

• Talk early and often – start conversations about scams, privacy, and mental health impacts, and focus on acknowledging your children’s grasp on technology to avoid making security advice seem condescending.
• Encourage reporting – young people are often embarrassed. Create a safe space to talk.
• Monitor with respect – use parental tools to build trust, not spy.

For employers:

• Educate early hires on cybersecurity basics, first, and not after enforcing mandates.
• Secure BYOD policies and personal devices with strong endpoint protections.
• Create a cyber-safe culture – no one is too savvy to be phished.

A digitally enabled future is only bright if it’s secure

Young South Africans are not naïve – they’re ambitious, creative and connected. But without proper safeguards, that same ambition becomes their greatest vulnerability.

Youth Month is a reminder of potential, but potential can be devastatingly derailed if it’s exploited. We need a national commitment to protecting our future by educating, equipping and empowering young people. Their success depends on it – and so does ours.