A Flinders University study published in October 2026 in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders reveals that autistic adults face elevated risks of unwitting involvement in cyber-dependent crime. Lead researcher Dr. Alliyza Lim notes that engagement is not driven by advanced digital skills, prompting calls for enhanced cyberspace safeguarding. This comes as Australian Cyber Security Centre incidents rose 20% in 2025–26, while 2022 UK data showed 17% of cybercrime referrals were autistic.
Risks and safeguarding for autistic adults
- ▪Preliminary findings from Flinders University suggest specific autistic characteristics may associate with cybercrime involvement, though exact underlying drivers remain unconfirmed.
- ▪The Flinders University study found the link between autism and cyber-dependent crime was not driven by advanced digital skills or difficulties with perspective-taking.
- ▪Flinders University experts warned that autistic adults face heightened risks of becoming involved in cybercrime inadvertently or unwittingly.
- ▪Flinders University research fellow Dr. Alliyza Lim called for greater education and safeguarding measures in cyberspace to protect vulnerable autistic individuals.
- ▪A 2022 U.K. National Crime Agency report indicated 17% of individuals referred for cybercrime activity were diagnosed or self-identified as autistic, contrasting with a general population autism prevalence rate of about 2%.
Flinders University cybercrime study conduct
- ▪Flinders University researchers Dr. Alliyza Lim and Emeritus Professor Neil Brewer conducted the cyber-dependent crime study using validation checks to enhance finding reliability.
- ▪A Flinders University study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders compared responses from 138 autistic and 206 nonautistic adults to evaluate awareness and engagement in cybercrime.
Australian Cyber Security Centre statistics
- ▪The Australian Cyber Security Centre reported potential malicious cyber activity more than 4,400 times in 2025–26, an almost 80% rise year-over-year.
- ▪The Australian Cyber Security Centre responded to over 1,500 cybersecurity incidents in 2025–26, marking an increase exceeding 20% from the previous year.
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