Actually, I think teaching about HTTP isn't a bad example. At it's base it is pretty simple to understand, there are good tools to work with it, it's hugely important and it leads on nicely to things like DNS and security.
There are thousands of applications that abstract normal people from the "HTTP". Knowing stuff is a great thing, but forcing people to learn stuff is something totally different.
Show kids how to build a webpage with HTTP and CSS and they will run for their lives. Maybe you can teach them how to configure any content manager making an effort in explain them how having a webpage can affect their lives and how can they prevent them (security, privacy...).
It is school guys, teach kids useful tools for their lives, don't bore them with hypes (I am purposely obviating the "brain" development thing).
So right, but you have to use "something" as example, I don't mind which one you prefer as long as it comes with a "how this affect my life" explanation.
