Did your child come home with the message: I want to learn how to hack! Hacking is cool! You are a bit shocked by this, because you only know hackers as criminals and that is not something you want for your child. No problem, your child has just chosen a great job. For parents with a less technical background it can sometimes be difficult if a child says that he / she wants to study something technically. We can help you and your child with this.
What is hacking?
Wikipedia has a nice description of what hacking is: “Hacking is finding applications that are not intended by the creator of the tool, especially with regard to computers. Complexity does not play a role here, on the contrary, easy and fast alternative solutions are preferred. The use of a clothes peg to prevent a trouser leg from getting caught in a bicycle chain is basically a hack. “Normal” inventions and improvements are therefore not hacks, as long as they are used for what they were made for. ”
In the media, a hacker is displayed if someone with a criminal mindset, for example, hacks ATMs or websites, spreading malware or sending phishing emails to retrieve login details. The media uses a wrong terminology, because these are namely crackers (criminal hackers).
MacGyver
Maybe you are familiar with MacGyver from the past? He is a great example of a hacker! MacGyver encounters a problem in a situation and he looks for a solution through the creative use of materials, physics and chemistry.
How do I help my child?
What can you do to help and motivate your child? Find out which technical clubs are in your area, such as a CoderDojo or a technical club. These are clubs where children can be supervised by programming, electronics, chemistry, woodworking and more. If you still have questions, you can always send an e-mail.
Help, my child hacked something!
No problem, contact us, for example via email or telephone. Tell us what happened. We know the right people and authorities to deal with this. The most important thing is that your child is honest and tells you exactly what he / she has done.