In my recent research on hacking I noticed that people often start hacking very young (usually around age 13). Hacking is simply the manifestation of the youths' curiosity and intelligence. I also noticed that young hackers had often faced difficult events or situations in their lives. These events ranged from frequent relocations, violence in the home, illness, to being bullied at school. I am not suggesting that experiencing difficulties in life causes hacking behavior necessarily. But I am interested...
In your experience, is there a connection between these types of adverse experiences and hacking behaviors in youth?
Sep 3, 2024 09:30 PM
(This post was last modified: Sep 3, 2024 09:33 PM by Bastille.)
I think that for many of these young people, in this context, the computer is a refuge. The time they spend on the internet, having fun, entertaining themselves, and escaping reality is time they don't spend engaging with real life and what they're running from. They see that they're good at it, so they cling to it and exploit it to the fullest. These individuals may be more likely to turn to the dark side, operating under the principle of "I've suffered, so I'll make others suffer," or "I've been attacked, so I'll attack others too.
Moreover, there are several principles that explore how a person's personality is shaped by the personalities of those around them : - Intersubjectivity (Phenomenology)
- Looking-Glass Self (Charles Cooley, Sociology)
- Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura, Psychology)
If, in our youth, we experienced difficult times, such as being bullied, we may be more likely to repeat the pattern, showing less compassion and empathy, and therefore, more prone to turning to the dark side.
I personaly started to learn hacking at age 25, I liked computers when I was younger but not in the same way I like them now. I used to use them and have fun, now I love to dive into the fundamentals, to learn how they work, the technical stuff. I guess that hacking and cybersecurity were kinda salvific for me. I wasn't graduated, I had simple and not very fun jobs, I use to do drugs, and when I found out that I was good at it I slowly left drugs, parties, and those things. Based on what I saw on HF, drugs are often a common denominator too.
(Sep 3, 2024 09:30 PM)Bastille Wrote: I think that for many of these young people, in this context, the computer is a refuge. The time they spend on the internet, having fun, entertaining themselves, and escaping reality is time they don't spend engaging with real life and what they're running from. They see that they're good at it, so they cling to it and exploit it to the fullest. These individuals may be more likely to turn to the dark side, operating under the principle of "I've suffered, so I'll make others suffer," or "I've been attacked, so I'll attack others too.
Moreover, there are several principles that explore how a person's personality is shaped by the personalities of those around them :- Intersubjectivity (Phenomenology)
- Looking-Glass Self (Charles Cooley, Sociology)
- Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura, Psychology)
If, in our youth, we experienced difficult times, such as being bullied, we may be more likely to repeat the pattern, showing less compassion and empathy, and therefore, more prone to turning to the dark side.
I personaly started to learn hacking at age 25, I liked computers when I was younger but not in the same way I like them now. I used to use them and have fun, now I love to dive into the fundamentals, to learn how they work, the technical stuff. I guess that hacking and cybersecurity were kinda salvific for me. I wasn't graduated, I had simple and not very fun jobs, I use to do drugs, and when I found out that I was good at it I slowly left drugs, parties, and those things. Based on what I saw on HF, drugs are often a common denominator too.
Thank you for these insights. I have also observed that the internet can be a safe space for some youth. While some youth appear to know when they are crossing lines in cyberspace, others appear to be less aware that what they are doing is problematic - at least initially.
I hope that you will consider participating in my final research by anonymously responding to an online survey. I will be launching the survey later this month.
(Sep 4, 2024 07:27 AM)CaptechPhD Wrote: Thank you for these insights. I have also observed that the internet can be a safe space for some youth. While some youth appear to know when they are crossing lines in cyberspace, others appear to be less aware that what they are doing is problematic - at least initially.
I hope that you will consider participating in my final research by anonymously responding to an online survey. I will be launching the survey later this month.
You're welcome
I'm not into black hat activities, I work in cybersecurity, don't know if it matters for your online survey. You'll let me know
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