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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 can´t reform current "hackers and spies" and so they´re 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
"It´s not a new concept. Smokey the bear, DARE, et cetera have been used before. I don´t know that there have been fewer forest fires, and there´s been more drug use," says a high school history teacher. He says that these programs, far from being effective, often foster a curiosity which can´t be stifled.
I had the opportunity to explain the differences between good and bad hackers when speaking with a school counselor. She agreed that "there´s a difference, and this program should address that." She did say, however, that "it´s 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 doesn´t get kids to start forest fires. DARE is probably remotely effective. Something against a concept and not a substance or action isn´t as effective. Saying that this thing labelled `hacking´ 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 FBI´s 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... They´ll 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? |
