When I was 16, I wrote a script for a school play. A group of friends and I performed it, and we ended up winning a regional competition. For a few days, we were school heroes. I wrote the script on an Olivetti typewriter. There were no fancy visuals or digital tools, just words on a page. But that was enough for us.
In today’s digital age, children, teens and youth are redefining what it means to be creative. Armed with tablets, laptops and smartphones, they’re not just consuming content, they’re creating it. From coding their video games to producing digital art, the younger generation is exploring new avenues of creativity that were unimaginable just a few decades ago. This shift is not only reshaping their futures but also challenging traditional views on what it means to be creative.
One of the most visible ways young people are expressing their creativity is through digital art. Tablets with styluses and apps like Procreate and Adobe Fresco have turned drawing into a high-tech activity. Instead of crayons and paper, many kids now use their fingers or styluses to create intricate digital paintings. This medium allows for endless experimentation, with layers, effects and colour palettes that would be difficult to replicate with traditional materials.
According to a 2021 report by Common Sense Media, more than half of teenagers in North America engage in some form of digital content creation, with digital art being one of the most popular forms.
Another significant trend is the rise of coding among young people. Websites like Scratch, Code.org and Codecademy are making programming accessible to kids as young as six. These platforms gamify the learning process, turning what was once seen as a complex and technical skill into something fun and approachable. For example, Scratch, developed by MIT, allows kids to create their games and animations by snapping together blocks of code. In 2023, over 80 million projects were shared on the platform, reflecting how widespread coding has become among young creators.
The impact of this trend extends beyond just making games. By learning to code, kids are developing problem-solving skills, logical thinking and even an understanding of algorithm; skills that are increasingly valuable in our technology-driven world. A study from the Brookings Institution found that students who learn to code at a young age are more likely to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) careers. This could lead to a new generation of innovators who are not just consumers of technology, but creators.
Video game development is another area where youth are showing incredible creativity. Platforms like Roblox and Minecraft are also tools for creation. Roblox, for instance, allows users to design and publish their games, which can be played by millions of other users. As of 2023, over 40 million games have been created on Roblox, with some teen developers earning substantial incomes from their creations. This is more than playing, it’s a form of digital entrepreneurship. The possibilities are endless, with some young developers going on to pursue careers in game design and software development.
It is about creating content and sharing it. Social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram have given young creators a global stage. These platforms are filled with videos of teenagers sharing their digital art, tutorials on coding and gameplay from the games they’ve developed. This instant access to a worldwide audience is unprecedented. It allows for immediate feedback, collaboration and even monetization of creative projects. A Pew Research Centre study found that 95 percent of teens use YouTube, and 41 percent say they use it constantly. This highlights how integral digital platforms are to the creative lives of young people today.
The rise of digital creativity among youth is a profound shift in how creativity is expressed and valued. Traditional forms of creativity like painting, writing and playing music, are still important, but they’re now complemented by new, digital forms. These digital tools are expanding how young people can be creative, and democratizing creativity. A child with a tablet and internet access can create a masterpiece, develop a game or start a YouTube channel, regardless of where they live or their socio-economic background.
The creativity of children and teens in the digital age will shape the art and technology of tomorrow and the very fabric of society. They’re not just learning how to use digital tools; they’re learning how to innovate with them. And that might be the most creative act of all.
