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Anti-Hacking "Education" Program Launched by DoJ
Mike Hudack
Editor-in-Chief
The Weekly Standard
The Weekly Standard
reported
(on September 30th) that the Department of Justice is launching an anti-hacker
education campaign targeted at children ages 12 and under. The program,
called the Cybercitizen Partnership, is being funded with three hundred thousand
dollars appropriated specifically for the purpose.
According to the report, the DoJ assumes that they canґt reform current
"hackers and spies" and so theyґre going to try to do it before they start
hacking. The people behind the campaign told the Standard that the purpose
of the program is to "send the message that hacking isn't cute, clever or
funny."
In response to this news OSAll spoke to several educators, DoJ
officials and hackers -- asking what they thought about this program. And
now, their reactions:
The Educators
"Itґs not a new concept. Smokey the bear, DARE, et cetera have
been used before. I donґt know that there have been fewer forest fires,
and thereґs been more drug use," says a high school history teacher. He
says that these programs, far from being effective, often foster a curiosity
which canґt be stifled.
I had the opportunity to explain the differences between good and bad hackers
when speaking with a school counselor. She agreed that "thereґs a
difference, and this program should address that." She did say, however,
that "itґs not all a bad idea. We already have Officer Friendly -- so why
not have Administrator Friendly?"
The Head Shrinkers
Psychologists agree. A Yale University psychologist from the
child psychiatry department says much the same thing. "Smokey the Bear
doesnґt get kids to start forest fires. DARE is probably remotely
effective. Something against a concept and not a substance or action isnґt
as effective. Saying that this thing labelled `hackingґ is wrong is like
saying not to have sex in a way... Both become forbidden and therefore more
attractive."
The Enforcers
"Computer crime is a serious issue," said a spokesperson for the FBIґs
Hartford field office. It was a predictable PR response.
Unfortunately no actual computer crime agents were available for comment.
The spokesperson, as usual, towed the company line to the extreme.
The End?
All in all, the DoJ will undoubtedly consult both educators and
psychologists before starting such a program... Theyґll probably address
all of these concerns -- but the damage will still be done. Right now the
attitude towards hackers in school seems to be generally positive... Will
it turn negative? |