Empowering The Next Generation
Many parents and guardians bring their children to DEF CON to allow them to experience the same learning, networking, and community that they enjoy. As parents and educators ourselves, we want to help make this experience even more memorable with our Youth Challenge!
Looking for the Scoreboard?
Want To Participate?
This event will require you to help your child access various villages of DEF CON to complete challenges. You are required to supervise your children at all times in accordance with DEF CON and the Hotel’s minor policies. The SEC is not responsible for monitoring or otherwise caring for your child and assumes no liability.
Pre-Registration will close prior to DEF CON, but if you miss it you can sign up on-site, we just may not have some materials!
Our 2024 Theme:
The Hitchhacker's Guide to DEF CON!
The Social Engineering Community needs your help and it’s not exactly a big deal, but without your help, the entire universe is going to implode. Fortunately, some creative beings designed a failsafe just for this specific purpose, the Def Con Social Engineering Youth Challenge at DEF CON 32! Remember,
DON’T PANIC!
The implosion failsafe requires anyone under the age of 18 to complete some very specific problem-solving challenges that have been carefully designed for humans only (we don’t know why these challenges were designed only for humans, but it’s reasonable to assume this is another instance of dolphins playing a prank). Some examples of challenges are decoding alien messages, hacking intergalactic systems, and understanding the meaning of life. As you complete these challenges, the universe will be one step further from complete and utter obliteration. As part of this protocol, you can expect the opportunity to learn valuable skills in cryptography, social engineering, network security, defusing intergalactic implosion bombs, and more. You’ll need to keep your eyes on the sky and adapt to overcome serious obstacles designed by what we believe to be the least serious beings in the universe. Will you be able to stop the universe from imploding into what we’re assuming is probably another universe but much smaller? We hope so! Otherwise, even the dolphins will have to find a new home.
The Badge
Marvin!
As part of the challenge, we’ll need your help to repair Marvin! Soon in the challenge you’ll get a Marvin badge (for FREE!) that requires your help soldering his missing components to get him functional again!
P.S. Make sure to pre-register as our supplies are limited and we cannot guarantee ever youth competitor can receive one!
The Prizes!
Galactic Explorers
Ages 8 & Under
1st Place: $100 & Trophy
2nd Place: $50
3rd Place: $25
Interstellar Navigators
Ages 9-13
1st Place: $100 & Trophy
2nd Place: $50
3rd Place: $25
Starship Commanders
Ages 14-17
1st Place: $100 & Trophy
2nd Place: $50
3rd Place: $25
Youth Challenge Team
Corgi
Youth Challenge Lead
Rekdt
Youth Challenge Assist
