I spoke with a reporter this morning who asked me a simple question: Why do kids turn to cybercrime? After some fun and genuinely insightful conversations with my colleagues at ProCircular, ages 20 to 55+, here’s what we were able to cobble together.
You Can Do It Alone - Poking around on the internet as a hacker does not require a crowd. You do not need to schedule anything or call anyone. You do not need to go anywhere. You sit down, often after everyone has gone to bed, and you pick up where you left off. For a kid with curiosity and a laptop, that accessibility is a serious pull and a way to fill the often tedious life of a teenager. A team is not required, though that part becomes more attractive when you find others who share your interests.
Curiosity - Cybersecurity attracts people who notice what others miss. You see seams and ask questions others don’t. This work is interesting for such minds. These are the people who must press the forbidden red button. Curiosity in cyber can lead you to places you should not be legally or ethically, with serious consequences if caught.
Girls -Sadly, most hackers and cybersecurity professionals are boys in this field. In one U.S. analysis, over 83% of cybersecurity professionals are male; globally, women make up 22%. This gap is also seen in classrooms, where most students are boys. Like any unique high school skill, many in the field admit they showed off to get attention.
“Victimless” Crimes - Kids do not see pirating music or poking around a movie studio's network as harmful. The target is a big company or a bank. Someone rich. Someone from a completely different world. Nobody appears to have been hurt, and the PS5 that just arrived in the mail is the real thing. That perception drives much of the early criminal behavior in this space.
Unclear Implications - Younger people do not always connect actions to real-world consequences—legal trouble, career damage, or unintentional harm to unseen people. Making these implications clear early is crucial. The world is a connected place, and what happens over there is likely to impact what happens here.
For Parents
Your child's curiosity can be a positive force. Here are some ways you can help guide it constructively. As best as possible, pay close attention to what your child is doing online. Check some receipts and get them on a credit card you can track - see where they’re putting their money. Curiosity is normal, but keep an eye out for unsupervised access to hacking forums and tools. If you notice these, talk openly with your child about it.
Discuss consequences with your child in specific, understandable terms. Avoid lectures—focus on sharing real-life outcomes. For example, explain how a federal charge at 17 can have lasting effects, and point out how a cybersecurity career is both rewarding and in high demand. Help your child find legitimate outlets for their curiosity. Consider these online options as a starting point.
Celebrate your child's curiosity. If they like to figure out how things work, that is a strength. Encourage and support them to channel that energy toward a positive career path early on.