&gt;Show complexity – whilst showing the impacts – and yes, appeal – of activities that may be dangerous or illegal, don’t celebrate the activity. But don’t condemn the characters either. No-one likes a wagging finger.<p>I appreciate this &quot;rule&quot; that the author holds. I think there really are two sides to these kinds of controversial issues - parents who don&#x27;t fully understand the appeal, and teens who don&#x27;t fully understand the danger - and the best way to show both sides is to tell it like it is.<p>Unfortunately, since in fiction the author has full reign over the plot, lazier (or else ignorant) authors who may not fully understand both sides might simply reward or punish characters regardless of any realistic criteria. If I tried to write such a book, I would fall into the &quot;ignorant&quot; category, biased not only by my limited experience but also by my natural desire to reward characters more like myself, regardless of whether their actions merit it.