I think most kids can learn basic programming and have different attitude towards software. Programs are going to determine their lives, from the tiktok feed algorithm to surveillance to filtering their CV for a job and even evaluating their job performance or paying their taxes.
There was a story recently where toasters were bricked because they received the microwave binary update. Can you imagine? You wont be able to make toast if you cant hack our toaster.
Not to mention the new scams, from NFTs to ransomwares, I have gotten to the point of asking my daughter to tell me for each app she installs 'how it makes money from you, especially if its free' .
What big tech has been doing for the last 20 years has successfully disconnected the user from the computer, the next generation was supposed to be the most 'technologically advanced' generation and yet for them technology is worse than magic. It is magic that controls their lives.. that is filled with exploits, bugs and crashes.
We must do all we can to break down the tech barrier and make them literate.
(this is my log of teaching my daughter https://github.com/jackdoe/programming-for-kids I have posted it in other comments so it looks weird, but I have gotten some feedback that it is a nice resource for other parents, so I will link to it again)
I am still working on the games, but since it took me 2 months to make the programs, I decided to print anyway.
https://punkx.org/4917/guide.html#game here I have just given examples of possible games, but I think parents will have to see what their kid responds to, as mine really like dice and modifying the code so that works for me, but for another parent they might want to make some sort of treasure hunt with the cards for example.
The idea is for a parent and a kid to just pick few cards and play a bit after school or while making dinner.
Also it was a great deal of fun to write those small programs :)