Defcon Kids in the news.

[Quiet]

Defcon Kids

Reuters news article on Defcon Kids.

Has Defcon really become tame enough so that 8-16 year olds won't be traumatized by what they see?

[HighWiz]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

Defcon Kids

Reuters news article on Defcon Kids.

Has Defcon really become tame enough so that 8-16 year olds won't be traumatized by what they see?

No.

But experiments can be fun, I guess!

Of course, if you try to make DefCon too "kid friendly" you always run the risk of alienating the adult con-goers.

[eris]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

No.

But experiments can be fun, I guess!

Of course, if you try to make DefCon too "kid friendly" you always run the risk of alienating the adult con-goers.

I have heard rumblings and rumors of a kid-specific area within DefCon with geeky parent/kid activities. Folks have been bringing kids of all ages to Con for years, taking full and admirable responsibility for their safety and actions.

My concern with the media telling people Defcon is kid friendly is an influx of people that may not be as responsible as those who have attended in the past. Which COULD have effects on public Defcon staff policy to avoid potential litigation maybe? I am an worst case scenario sort of thinker, however.

If I have to curb my actions in Vegas, at a casino bar, or at my contest table more than is absolutely necessary for normal day to day "trying not to be a dick around kids" it would certainly affect my feelings about attending Con.

[StealHead]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

StealHead here, the unofficial/official spokesman for DefCon Kids Forum and website.

DefCon Kids will be held in their own separate conference rooms and without parent/guardian status of said kid you will not be allowed to enter the room nor will a kid be able to register for the event if said parent/guardian is not present and fill's out a lawyer produced sign-in/waiver form. Yes that means real name's must be used and contact info in case of an emergency.

If there is any co-mingling of the regular attendees of DefCon with these children at any other event then that is the parent/guardian responsibility.

These kids are our future when it comes to DefCon, might as well get them set on the right path from the get go.

All suggestions and comments are more than appreciated, it is our first time after all.

[eris]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

StealHead here, the unofficial/official spokesman for DefCon Kids Forum and website.

DefCon Kids will be held in their own separate conference rooms and without parent/guardian status of said kid you will not be allowed to enter the room nor will a kid be able to register for the event if said parent/guardian is not present and fill's out a lawyer produced sign-in/waiver form. Yes that means real name's must be used and contact info in case of an emergency.

If there is any co-mingling of the regular attendees of DefCon with these children at any other event then that is the parent/guardian responsibility.

This sounds like a perfect start and addresses what was my main concern. Thanks!

These kids are our future when it comes to DefCon, might as well get them set on the right path from the get go.

All suggestions and comments are more than appreciated, it is our first time after all.

So true. Well said.

[TheCotMan]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

StealHead here, the unofficial/official spokesman for DefCon Kids Forum and website....

Now that you have posted something about this event, I have soft-deleted the temporary thread letting people know you were the one listed as the forum contact for running this event, and this is me confirming you (StealHead) are the forum contact for this event.

Good Luck!

[eris]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

As an aside, the website has been Tweeted by our Hunt Twitter feed. Good luck!

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

i'll be speaking at the DEFCON Kids area (TOOOL is putting together a special lockpicking talk for them... something that's been crazy rewarding for us in the past... bonk, bink, bank, bang, bap!)

however, i do not plan on altering my traditional appearance, language, or alcohol consumption to any significant degree just because of the audience... which is typical of all our appearances, no matter who we're teaching.

[Bbox]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

however, i do not plan on altering my traditional appearance, language, or alcohol consumption to any significant degree just because of the audience... which is typical of all our appearances, no matter who we're teaching.

I believe that most of the kids who have an interest that would bring them to an event like Defcon (Defcon Kids) are just younger versions of the people we see every year at the Con.

I think it would be insulting to them and their intelligence if we were to dress or behave differently around them. (at least the older ones that will most likely also attend some non kid Defcon talks/ events (with a guardian))

[Anch]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

Wait, Hold on a Second...

What the hell is going on here!? Vegas (no matter how the commercials make it sound) is not a kid friendly place. Having a place for 8-16 yo. kids at DefCon!? Are people out of their fucking minds!?

I would like to know how the parents of said kids are going to explain things like pool2girl, the general drunken mayhem, and the goons shouting "EVERYONE CLEAR THE FUCKING HALLWAY!! MAKE A FUCKING HOLE!!"

I don't think this is a good idea. I know I wouldn't bring my kid to con (if I had one).

Defcon and vegas *ARE NOT* kid friendly places. Encouraging people to bring their kids is foolish. Leave your kids at home people, it's only 1 weekend a year.

[red_beard]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

Dad, why is that angry bearded man staring me down?

Well, CyFi, Megan's law says he can't be near you. That's a look in his eyes called "hunger".

[Bbox]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

Wait, Hold on a Second...

I would like to know how the parents of said kids are going to explain things like pool2girl, the general drunken mayhem, and the goons shouting "EVERYONE CLEAR THE FUCKING HALLWAY!! MAKE A FUCKING HOLE!!"

.

I do not believe the parents with the 8 - 11 year olds will put their kids in those situations. They will be in the Defcon Kids area and not in ques for talks (so they will have limited contact)

As for the 12 - 16 year olds,

I used it as a perfect opportunity to discus sex, foul language and alcohol consumption with my kid. I don't know about your kids, but my kids are going to see this stuff in there daily life anyway so at least this way I had a chance to talk about it with them.

I think the benefits the kids (the right ones anyway ) can get from attending Defcon are far greater than the few drawbacks.

[Anch]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

I do not believe the parents with the 8 - 11 year olds will put their kids in those situations. They will be in the Defcon Kids area and not in ques for talks (so they will have limited contact)

Where is KidCon? At the front of the venue? NOPE it's clear in the fucking back.. Parents with kids are going to have to walk them through the masses of people to get them back there. Past Track1, past CTF, and down the corridor to tracks 3&4. Little contact my ass.

Kids will be in the thick of it, coming and going.

[viking]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

I do not believe the parents with the 8 - 11 year olds will put their kids in those situations.

I don't see how they could possibly avoid "those situations." Anch is right. I would rather not be forced to explain goatse to an 8 year-old.

[HighWiz]

Re: Defcon Kids in the news.

I can see it now..

Dad walking his kid through the crowd. People around Dad & Kid are talking like normal. Dad ask people to not use that language around his kid. Person in crowd tells dad to "go fuck himself". Dad gets uppity... Things go bad, fast.

The idea of a DefCon Kids event isn't a bad idea. Getting kids involved in Hacking is great! However, putting kids in the DefCon Environment may not be the best thing.

The Official DefCon FAQ say's it best:

What is the age limit?

People have brought children to DEF CON - it is not recommended to do this unless you are going to constantly supervise them. It is generally an ‘adult’ atmosphere (language, booze, et cetera). If you've never been to DEF CON, you may want to refrain from bringing your children (unless they are demanding that you bring them)...

Bbox has a point, in having kids at DefCon gives parents the opportunity to discuss things with them. But the parents should be aware going in, that those issues will probably come up. And language will be the tame side of things that you will have to discuss with your children.