[marshmallow]

These kids have the same mindset as vandals. They derive pleasure from breaking stuff and causing inconvenience to people. Instead of busting up subway cars, bus shelters and school property they do it in cyberspace.

[Southack]

"These kids have the same mindset as vandals. They derive pleasure from breaking stuff and causing inconvenience to people. Instead of busting up subway cars, bus shelters and school property they do it in cyberspace."

No, they have the same mindset as enemy sabotuers and spies. They are intentionally attacking and destroying systems, even life-saving hospital computers.

Taggers/vandals, on the other hand, simply mark territory in most cases, or trash remote, low-value property in other times.

The good that they do, however, is that they have us armoring our electronic systems even during peacetime (or at least far from the front). If the sabotuers weren't always hitting us, then we would be ripe for a Sum of All Fears sort of enemy attack.

That being said, the kid should have his choice of either being locked up for life or else blinded and released.