The mother of an African gang-member says her son fell onto the wrong side of the law because her Centrelink payments were inadequate, and she wasn't able to keep him properly entertained.

Mother-of-six Asha Awya made the claims to A Current Affair .

"The Centrelink money is not enough, sometimes I cut some of their entertainment," the Brisbane woman said.

Mother-of-six Asha Awya.

She said her son thought: "If mum always not giving me money, there's no pocket money, then maybe I have to find a way of stealing and get my own money."

Her eldest son has spent time in prison, but details as to why he was arrested can not be released due to legal reasons.

Ms Awya says her son was in a gang before his arrest, and would organise meet-ups with other members on social media.

Asha Awya is worried for her other children.

"They chat online, any excuse to leave home," the single mother said.

She also said a lack of employment opportunities, and "too many laws" contributed to her son's problems with the law.

"They came from a very traumatised environment, and coming to Australia, trying to fit in with the religion and the friends around them at school, is very challenging," Ms Awya said.

Ms Awya says African children come from a very traumatised environment and have trouble adapting to Australia's laws.

"We have all these laws, so it's just very confusing, and I feel sorry for the kids because they don't know how to deal with this.

"They end up smoking, and end up with group of the confused kids."

Ms Awya also said African youth felt isolated in the community.

Ms Awya's eldest son is in jail.

"Maybe they're thinking it's a fun way to deal with the problem, but they don't know they're ending up in big mess later," she said.

"They end up stealing people's stuff, breaking into their car, or taking people's credit card.