Why Kids Should Be Introduced to Blockchain?
Everyone is most familiar with the different types of coding but one technology people should pay attention to is blockchain. It is made from the same technology behind the wonder that is bitcoin. It is a distributed ledger technology that is set to revolutionize not just the tech industry.
To those who are unfamiliar, blockchain is a database that stores data in chunks or blocks. Each block is linked linearly and chronologically to another block wherein each filled block is irreversible. This means that whatever data is stored in those blocks cannot be tampered with. It is also decentralized, so not a single person or group has sole control and any activities such as data added or changed are reflected in real-time. This makes it rather secure, which is why it is sometimes referred to as distributed ledger technology (DLT) so you can imagine its appeal particularly for industries that deal with sensitive information daily like banks.
The catch? Not many are familiar with it and people are still learning about it. That said, it is high time to introduce children to blockchain. If it could greatly benefit adults, think of the possibilities if it is opened to children. It is never too early to introduce it to kids. Take a look at all the ways it can benefit them.
Giving Kids a Leg Up
They say the future belongs to those who create – whether it be ideas or products and this also applies to technology. Similar to coding, teaching kids blockchain can significantly benefit them in the future. If your child is already familiar with coding, then it will be easier for them to understand the principles of blockchain. What’s great is that programming languages can be used to code blockchain to make it easier. That way, regardless of your experience with blockchain, you can still work with it. Think of it as Java, C++, or python coding for all ages. In addition, it would also allow the user much more flexibility in terms of what they can create.
Much like coding, introducing kids to blockchain equips them with the necessary knowledge they can use in the future. Seeing as technology is dynamic and ever-changing, being prepared at an early age helps them to easily adapt later on. It is also true that being knowledgeable in the field of technology opens them up to many more job opportunities. And blockchain is yet to have its day in the limelight. So it is better to prepare children for it and have an advantage now than to have them scramble to keep up when it does explode in the market.
Promoting Digital Literacy and Online Security
In today’s digital world, having a grasp of technology is extremely advantageous in the future, particularly for children when their minds are still developing. Children who are exposed to it at an early age get to improve their problem-solving and mathematical skills. While it is true that children today are more tech-savvy than previous generations, it would all go to waste if that potential is not tapped. Teaching kids concepts in technology like blockchain will enable them not only to become digitally literate but learning about its mechanisms will also help them exercise creativity. It will let them think outside the box. Their early training would make them think like a computer, so to speak, which enables them to easily understand the material.
Indeed, the digital world is wonderful and capable of many possibilities but introducing children to blockchain also lets them know about the concept of cybersecurity. This is very handy because nowadays, it is easy for data to be stolen, forged, or replicated. However, blockchain makes use of advanced encryption which is not managed by any government or financial entity. This makes it one of the safest methods for storing data. It is also the reason why blockchain is utilized in cryptocurrency. Therefore raising this kind of awareness to children prevents them from falling prey to cybercrime schemes like a fraud in the future.
Blockchain Is the Future
Given how blockchain is self-regulating, efficient, and secure, it is easy to see how it can change the game not just in technology but in other industries as well like banking and even governance. Although cryptocurrency remains relatively untouched for the most part now, some governments are starting to accept it as currency. Pretty soon, the rest of the world will follow suit, which can revolutionize the way business is conducted and even economics and finance. It won’t be long before the world can truly engage in a borderless economy.
But like many changes in technology, adopting blockchain will not happen overnight. Though it is always a good idea to have a forward-thinking approach to things. As the current generation of adults, we may not be as intuitive as children when it comes to technology seeing as more and more younger people are becoming digital natives. But what we can do is introduce them to technologies like coding and blockchain to better prepare them for what’s to come in the future.
