Dear Script Kiddie

Hey, you’re new to hacking, right? Feeling anxious about being labeled a “script kiddie”? Maybe you already have been?

I started a new cybersecurity & hacking instagram approximately two weeks ago.

Despite a 14 year career in cybersecurity before switching to hacking, guess who has been called a script kiddie about 23 times already?

Yup. I have.

This is actually what prompted me to write this article today.

Not everyone has been around long enough to know why they’re REALLY calling you that.

Well, here’s something straight up: Who gives a fuck what those gatekeeping basement dwellers think? Seriously, they won’t pave your path or support you in any meaningful way. So why should their opinions matter to you?

First off, let’s get this out of the way: being called a “script kiddie” is often just an attempt by some to gatekeep and make themselves feel superior. It’s like they want to make it seem way harder than it actually is. They’ll throw around terms like “script kiddie” to put down newbies and make them feel unworthy. But here’s a secret—they’re more scared of your potential than anything else.

Think about it: Why would anyone feel the need to belittle beginners? What’s really going on when someone with loads of experience goes out of their way to insult someone just starting out? It tells you more about their insecurities than your abilities. It screams that they’re clinging to this idea that their job gives them some kind of elite status, and they’re terrified of losing that.

And let’s be real: hacking isn’t as mystic and elusive as it’s made out to be. It’s not about being born with a magical coding wand in your hand. It’s a skill set, and like any skill, it starts with learning the basics, which often means using tools that others have made. That’s smart, not shameful. Nobody starts out building everything from scratch. Not even the greatest hackers coded their tools in assembly language right off the bat.

Most of the haters calling people “script kiddies” aren’t out there making waves themselves. They’re not the ones putting out new tools or sharing helpful content. They’re usually hiding behind private accounts, throwing shade because they see someone doing what they don’t have the guts to do—learn openly and improve.

But you’re different. You’re out here, learning in public, sharing your journey, embracing every step of the hacking process. That’s brave. That’s how real hackers start—messing around with things they don’t fully understand yet, breaking stuff, and putting it back together. That’s the heart of innovation and learning.

And here’s something else: it’s downright bizarre how some folks try to force hackers into a one-size-fits-all mold. That’s follower behavior. Real hacking isn’t about checking off a list of prerequisites or meeting someone else’s arbitrary standards. It’s about results. Did you achieve what you set out to do? Yes? Then you nailed it, and that’s the bottom line. Those who sneer at “script kiddies” are just conformists masking their own insecurities. They’re the type of people who bring negativity and drag down the vibe with their needless gatekeeping. You’re better off steering clear of that crowd, they will try to bring you down to their miserable level. Keep focusing on your path, not their approval.

So, next time someone tries to throw that “script kiddie” label at you, wear it like a badge of honor. It means you’re in the arena, getting your hands dirty, figuring things out. You’re learning by doing, which is more than any critic on the sidelines can say. Keep pushing, keep experimenting, and remember, the path to being a great hacker is paved with trials, errors, and yes, using scripts made by others as stepping stones. Keep going, and let the haters stay mad while you make your mark.

Read more about Hacking.

Check out my free Wiki comprised of 14 years worth of cybersecurity notes here!