Let's not pretend these kids were trying to hack the Gibson just for the lulz. Calling into help desk, requesting password resets with social engineering, getting into network, installing ransomware is all well beyond playing around. I know there are smart teens, but I would not be surprised to find out there is someone more experienced in the background that got the kids going if not even on behalf of.

There are plenty of teens selling dope, stealing cars, breaking into homes, yet nobody thinks they're just knuckleheads playing around. Why do we think because "but on a computer" makes it different?

Likely an OCG behind them. I wouldn't be surprised to see a defence of exploitation.

Kids used to do stuff like wardialing, which is kind of on a similar level, with less actual humans involved though.