The issue focused on Internet pornography and electronic devices in class. The teacher later filed a complaint with the administration.

At school, Swartz told colleagues he had computer science classes at MIT that required computers to be kept under lock and key. He also described computer hackers as "some of the smartest people I know," according to several classmates.

Then one day last October, Swartz seemed depressed about his involvement with computer software. His laptop computer was missing for days. Swartz later returned it but didn