Why do you think it’s important for kids and teens to learn how to code?
Information technology has become pervasive in modern life—all of my children have wanted and continue to want computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. I have always made the point that those items are not toys, but tools that require the user to learn something. Another way to say it is, if you can not use the tool properly (e.g fix problems when they occur) then you should just not have the tool.
Having some basic coding skills, even just HTML, allows a young person to peer into the machine, see some of the magic that makes things work as they do—giving them a much greater understanding. I believe just a slightly deeper understanding goes a long way to reducing fear/uncertainty as that uncertainty is what inhibits further exploration.