It’s not about listening, it’s about tranmitting on these channels. Ham radios have dropped in price to the same levels as scanners so kids today are buying 2-way radios instead of scanners.
What’s so horrible about that? Maybe some people get a thrill out of it. I’m totally not into these things, but I think there’s a hobby related to scanners – police, fire etc. Some people obviously get a kick out of it.
I think it’s a bad habit. I don’t see the thrill in listening to emergency calls or scanners. These tragedies happen to real people and it’s more sad than fun.