If your kid has come home from school talking about "coding" but they weren't actually typing lines of green text on a black screen like a 90s movie hacker, they were probably on Code.org.

At its core, Code.org is a web-based platform designed to demystify computer science. They are the ones who started the Hour of Code—that annual event where everyone from President Obama to your local librarian tries to get kids to write their first line of code.

It uses "block-based" coding (think digital LEGOs) to teach the logic of programming without the frustration of forgetting a semicolon and breaking the whole program. It’s essentially the "gateway drug" to actual computer science, and honestly, it’s one of the few corners of the internet that is purely "good for them."

We spend so much time worrying about our kids' digital consumption—the endless scrolling on TikTok or the weirdly addictive "Skibidi Toilet" shorts on YouTube. Code.org flips the script.

Kids love it because it doesn’t feel like a textbook. They get to:

Ask our chatbot for more ways to turn screen time into "creation time"

Coding isn't just about building a website anymore; it’s about understanding the world we live in. Code.org has evolved significantly in the last couple of years to keep up with the "Ohio" energy of the modern internet.

With everyone talking about ChatGPT and AI taking over the world, Code.org launched "AI for Oceans." It teaches kids how machine learning actually works by having them "train" an AI to recognize fish versus trash in the ocean. It’s a brilliant way to explain that AI isn't magic—it’s just a math-based pattern recognizer that is only as good as the data we give it.

Once kids get bored of moving an Angry Bird across a grid, they can move into the App Lab. This is where things get "real." They can start designing actual user interfaces and transition from blocks to JavaScript. It’s the bridge between "this is a toy" and "I am building a product."

If your kid has exhausted Code.org or you’re looking for the right "next step," here is how the landscape looks right now:

Created by the folks at MIT, Scratch is the "art school" version of coding. While Code.org is very structured (do this, then that), Scratch is a wide-open sandbox. It’s better for kids who want to make weird animations or their own version of a platformer game. Ages: 8-16

If you have an iPad, this is a must-download. It’s Apple’s official way to teach Swift (the language used to make actual iPhone apps). It’s incredibly polished and feels more like a high-end puzzle game than an educational tool. Ages: 10+

We have a love-hate relationship with Roblox, but Roblox Studio is the real deal. It uses a language called Lua. If your kid is serious about making games people actually play (and potentially earning some Robux), this is the deep end of the pool. Ages: 12+ (with patience)

This is for the kid who thinks coding is boring but loves RPGs. You control your hero by typing actual code commands. It’s basically a dungeon crawler where your weapon is your keyboard. Ages: 9+

Check out our full guide on the best coding apps for every age

When should you start? And when should you push?

Let’s be real: your kid might not become a software engineer at Google, and that’s fine. But here’s the thing—understanding code is the new literacy.

Is it "Screen Time"? Technically, yes. But in the Screenwise world, we categorize this as "Green" Screen Time. It’s active, not passive. It’s problem-solving, not just scrolling. If your kid wants an extra 30 minutes of screen time but they're spending it on Code.org or Scratch, that’s a win.

The "Frustration" Factor Coding is 90% failing and 10% "Oh, I fixed it!" This can be hard for kids who struggle with perfectionism. If you see them getting heated, remind them that "debugging" is literally the most important part of the job.

Is it safe? Code.org is incredibly safe. They are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and are very strict about student privacy. Unlike Roblox or Discord, there isn't really a "social" element where strangers can message your kids. It’s a walled garden.

Learn more about the difference between creative and passive screen time

Instead of asking "What did you learn today?" (which usually gets a "nothing" or a shrug), try these:

Code.org isn't just about "learning to code"—it's about learning how to think. In a world where AI is starting to do the heavy lifting, the kids who understand the logic behind the curtain are the ones who will be leading the pack.

It’s free, it’s safe, and it’s a whole lot better for their brains than watching another "unboxing" video on YouTube.

Next Steps:

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