Should kids learn to code?

Publish Date: Nov 14 '20

11 14

This is a question that has been floating in my mind for a while. Being a 12-year-old myself, I have been asked this many times by adults who clearly don't understand that I'm committed. Well, kind of.

So, you coded this website yourself? I mean, how? Which library did you use? Clearly you don't know JavaScript, right? You're just beginning...

A common mistake to make when you see a kid that impresses everyone is to think that they aren't serious. Which is ridiculous. I've been coding since I was seven, which means I've been coding for five years. That's more than a lot of adults.

There are other things that some people tell me as well:

Some adults say, yay, continue, you'll get far, blah blah blah. However repetitive and ear-grating this sentence is, I appreciate it (I am not going to be a programmer when I grow up. No way. This is a HOBBY. A serious hobby, but not a career. I'm becoming a fantasy author for sure.

Some adults prefer to say that no, kids should not code, and coding is something that is done by adults and adults only. Really demotivating!!

And some adults ignore me. I mean, that's better than the above response...

Only a few adults have done this to me, but...

yOu sHouLd gEt iNtO bAcKeNd. fRoNteNd iS bAd. yOu'Re tOo sMaRt fOr fRoNtEnD.

Or...

tRy R. iT's sOoOo pOwErfUl.

Backend is boring. I'm known in school for being the smart AND cool kid, as my code creations are awesome. I'm not really going to risk that reputation. It was hard to come by!
Also, I get the feeling that these adults aren't being really honest.

So, once and for all — what is your opinion on children coding? Be honest. Just don't be mean.

Eh, do whatever you want.

My Kid-Run Company
(Yes, I programmed the website myself)

Comments 14 total

Quentin DelcourtNov 14, 2020
Why not? 🙂
HamidReza GhafouriNov 14, 2020
Well, that's going to be the most memorable thing I've ever read. Thank you for this and I want to say that you should never stop this process and always try not to care about others. It's you who builds you. I hope you will send me a message on Instagram in a few years and praise your success. in a few years, find me with the hr_ghafoori ID on Instagram 😉
- CoolScratcherNov 15, 2020
  Thanks!
Chad AdamsNov 14, 2020
Yes definitely. I started coding when I was 14 but I really wish I stayed with it and was more serious about it back then.
- CoolScratcherNov 15, 2020
  Chances are, you were more serious about it than you think :)
Taufik NurrohmanNov 15, 2020
I see coding the same way as playing games. Both work in front of a computer. Kids and adults are doing that anyway.

Improve your talent silently, don’t try to impress people directly by talking about coding in person. Only talk about it IF THEY ASK. Write blog posts about your learning journey online. People would accept it. Believe me!
- CoolScratcherNov 15, 2020
  Well, adults are adults. They're supposed to know everything. Sort of. They at least are expected to know more than me, which they 100% succeed in. I usually only talk about coding if they are interested like you said. However, I've been trying to start coding classes for my peers, some of which are older than me, and they certainly don't know more than me in certain areas. So I'm already following your formula 😀.
  As for blog posts, nah. I'm not doing that. Well, on dev.to, I already am. Not really, but close enough.
  One last thing.
  Coding is not the same as playing computer games!
ProMikeCoder2020Dec 8, 2020
I am just a year older and I can definitely agree with you on most points. It's really cool to impress your friends(and you get that sweet reputation) with websites and unless you are doing something crazy back end is only nice the first time because after that it became a repetetive. Really wished I had more time I could spend programming
- CoolScratcherDec 8, 2020
  yeah lol.... it's hard multitasking. Being a kid AND surviving school AND running a business AND coding is really hard for me :D
Dr AbstractJan 4, 2021
Pleased to meet you - we are all for kids coding! Languages are easier when you are young. Youth often have passion and creativity and are not jaded - all good qualities. Please drop on by zimjs.com we love the front end!!! Code creativity!
- Dr AbstractJan 4, 2021
  Just dedicated a post to you! dev.to/zimlearn/what-s-after-scrat... Cheers.
prem874Feb 1, 2021
Yes, Kids can code visit code.org/ they are great for kids coding
Best CodesJan 5, 2024
Kids should definitely learn coding! The job opportunities are endless, plus it's great for logic and, well, a lot of things.

You might tone the, I don't know, 'pride?' down a bit, though (please don't take this personally, but some people might be offended by your statements like “I'm known in school for being the smart AND cool kid, as my code creations are awesome.”).

Anyway, all that said, I admire your abilities. Yes! Kids should code. At 14, I don't really see how an adult could code any better than a kid. I know someone who made several apps, some software, and a couple websites before they were 15.
Cheers!
Best_codes
Вадим ПапинApr 16, 2025
"I'm just a kid who makes games — and I believe kids can code too!"

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CoolScratcher @coolscratcher

Should kids learn to code?

Comments 14 total