[mhitza]

Because it's a form of literacy. If they don't want instinctively to learn is because educational institutions aren't making it interesting or engaging.

It's important because it allows us to instruct computers to do things on our behalf. The only infinitely versatile tool in human history.

Why should they only use their computer for browsing & word processing?

[qsort]

Yes! This is the "correct" answer.

What is the most compelling reason why young people should know about the world wars? Because their mental model of the world would be irremediably broken if they don't.

We are doing a disservice to our discipline by insisting that CS == professionally developing software.

[dangerface]

I was taught cursive because it was a form of literacy literally never used it outside of school.

I have been coding since I was 6 and the only useful thing I have done with it was my job that I like and pays well, I also wrote a script that organised my mp3s very handy.

Mp3s don't exist and I could have probably found an app for it anyway, if I wasn't naturally motivated to liking computers and code I wouldn't like my job and would have found little other use for code.

Learning to code is a huge time and energy commitment that worked out great for me personally but if I didn't like code I would hate all this and find it completely useless. Joining a sports team or an after school group would have given me other skills like interpersonal skills that are important because it allows us to communicate and get others to do things on our behalf.

If a child doesn't like the path we took they wont find the success or joy we found in it, don't force them down that path.