The Guardian corrects suspect’s age in Kido nursery cyber-attack coverage

The Guardian has amended its October 7 coverage of the cyber-attack on Kido nurseries after incorrectly stating that one of the suspects was 22 years old. The correct age of the individual is 17.

In its original reporting, the article framed the arrests as involving a “man and teenage boy,” which implied a wider adult involvement. The update ensures clarity, showing that both individuals arrested are minors, which reshapes how readers interpret the severity, responsibility, and legal context of the case.

Precision in reporting on crime (especially involving minors) is critical. Misstating a suspect’s age can influence public perception, media tone, and expectations of legal accountability. In cybercrime coverage, where technical and legal elements already risk confusion, such errors amplify the potential for misjudgment.

By correcting the age, The Guardian restores factual accuracy and repositions narrative focus toward the proper context. The case underscores the challenges of fast-moving reporting about criminal investigations and the importance of verifying even basic identifiers like age.