Michael Akinyemi, UK-based software engineer and co-founder of CodeBridge Youth Initiative, delivered an inspiring message on the future of early tech education at the ‘Harnessing Tech Education from an Early Age’ summit held on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Cornhill Road, Sunderland, SR5 1RU. The event brought together parents, educators, and tech leaders for a focused discussion on how digital literacy can be introduced at the earliest stages of learning.

Organised by CodeBridge Youth Initiative, the summit was structured as a focus group discussion with parents in Sunderland and surrounding communities.

It offered practical strategies for raising tech-savvy children in an increasingly digital world and aimed to break down misconceptions around technology.

Families received starter toolkits, app suggestions, and access to beginner-friendly platforms for kids. Child psychologists and education consultants were also on-site to guide families based on each child’s unique learning style.

Michael, who served as one of the panellists, emphasised that introducing children to technology early is no longer optional. “The earlier we expose our children to technology, the earlier they begin to believe that they can build, lead, and innovate,” he said. “We’re not just preparing them for jobs. We’re preparing them for leadership in a digital world.”

Drawing from his work with CodeBridge, he shared examples of young students who began coding before their teenage years and now contribute to digital projects or pursue global tech careers. He encouraged parents to turn screen time into learning time through coding apps, creative games, and hands-on challenges.

“The difference between distraction and discovery often lies in what we expose our children to,” Michael noted. “Let’s give them the tools that spark invention, not just consumption.”

Parents engaged actively, sharing concerns about access to devices, unfamiliarity with tech platforms, and how to keep children both safe and curious online.

The session fostered meaningful dialogue and ideas like community coding clubs and parent-child tech workshops.

Participants also exchanged contacts to form peer-support circles and keep the momentum going after the summit. Michael urged families to create a culture of digital curiosity at home, where learning isn’t limited by age or background.

“Tech is no longer the future. It is the now. And our children deserve to be at the centre of it,” he said.

As the summit concluded, attendees left with renewed determination and tools to deepen their children’s digital journeys. For Michael Akinyemi, it marked another step in his ongoing mission, building the future with code, one family at a time.