No I get that it's a learning tool, but why don't we just start teaching advanced bio chemistry to children so they have a headstart? Create a cute little app. It's very very unhealthy.
As for video games, yes, I enjoyed them too as a child. But I also played outside, I had friends, I had social skills (which are very important later in life). I'm looking around and it's the same things everywhere; in restaurants, waiting areas, even in parks!! I wish I was generalizing but I don't think I am. Typical scenario: kid screams, mom gives kid iPad, you could see kid is no longer aware of his surroundings. Mom says "enough computer time", kid screams bloody murder, dad gives kid iPhone.
Trips, anywhere you go, parent's don't spend time with their kids. Kids are raised by iPads & iPhones. Very few have any social skills whatsoever. And even those coming out of highschool, are just as bad. I was trying to hire an entry level developer and a lot of these kids that interviewed did cool things as kids (program wise). But had ZERO social skills, were depressed, had severe mental issues (not a psychiatrist, just an observation). Just saying, when a child is a child, they learn the skills that will allow them to grow up. In the end I hired someone who had luckluster computer skills, but was very excited and had the ability to learn fast. His childhood almost had virtually no tech time except some basic video games. I've been mentoring this kid for a few years, and he has already surpassed knowledge of many adult developers. And he is able to lead meetings, talk non-programming language with non-techies. Very striking contrast from someone who knew nothing but computers growing up.
They will learn this stuff anyway. Otherwise they are "smart" when they are a kid and but become useless as adults because anyone can learn this stuff, but not everyone can do it in a manner that is useful to anyone. And hoping that a kid makes a million dollar app, well, play the lottery instead.
I guess my complaint, instead of teaching kids how to program create an app, that detects other kids in the room and shuts off all electronics in the room until the kids start talking to each other. I promise you, that would be 80 times more beneficial to children then a f*ing learn swift app.
