From Coding to Virality: A Story of Young Creators Breaking The Internet

ecently, a short video clip of my son, Adi, presenting his coding project alongside his friends as part of EducationNext’s Saturday sessions went viral.

What started as a simple project-sharing event quickly gained unexpected attention on social media, reaching from 100 to a staggering 19,000 followers on Instagram in just three days.

The post garnered 16.9 million views, 357,000 likes, and over 10,300 comments, reflecting a mix of surprise, admiration, and debate from the audience.

Reactions from the Online Community

The reaction from the public has been fascinating.

Many were amazed to see young kids engaging in something as complex as coding at such an early age.

However, some responses showed surprise and even skepticism, with a few commenters suggesting that children this age should be playing video games or watching cartoons.

These polarized views highlight how unconventional paths, like self-learning and coding, challenge societal expectations of what children should be doing.

But behind the viral clip is a deeper truth about what’s really happening in the lives of these kids—and why their work is more than just “coding.”

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Meet the Creators: Adi, Adhrit, and Raghav

The three boys in the video—Adi, Adhrit, and Raghav—are part of EducationNext’s Creator Discussion Program, an initiative that invites young learners to share their projects, ideas, and experiences.

Adhrit and Raghav are brothers, both unschoolers and self-learners, deeply passionate about creating and learning. Their path of self-directed learning allows them to explore areas that interest them without the rigid structure of traditional schooling.

Adi, my son, is also a proud unschooler. His journey into self-learning began three years ago after transitioning from a traditional school environment to online learning and eventually to creating his own projects.

Adi’s self-learning process is not just about coding—it's about nurturing essential life skills such as problem-solving, troubleshooting, persistence, and independent growth.

With guidance from me and mentoring from experts worldwide, Adi has blossomed into a young creator.

Coding as a Skill, Not a Trend

For Adi, coding is not just about writing lines of code—it’s about harnessing creativity to solve problems and make an impact on the world.

Through coding, he learns how to think critically, overcome challenges, and continuously adapt. His coding journey has also taught him the value of collaboration and curiosity, as he connects with other tech enthusiasts on shared projects.

It’s important to note that Adi’s interest in technology and coding is part of a broader passion for learning. He’s participated in various events, from AI boot camps to digital programs, and continues to expand his knowledge.

His goal is not only to develop apps but to use technology to solve real-world problems and contribute to a better future.

Want to explore coding for kids, check this out

The Inspiration Behind Adi’s Journey

Adi is constantly inspired by visionary leaders and thinkers such as Steve Jobs, Naval Ravikant, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Sam Altman. Their stories motivate him to dream big, push boundaries, and strive for innovation.

Adi also has diverse interests outside of coding—he loves making documentaries during our travels, sharing his stories through visual storytelling, and is a young ambassador for the MaNaBu Movement.

He dreams of one day racing cars in Germany, combining his love for technology with his fascination for automotive design.

It’s this spirit of curiosity and ambition that drives him forward, whether he’s learning, creating, or collaborating.

To check out Adi's weekly newsletter- click here

What Is Unschooling and Self-Learning?

Before diving into their stories, it’s important to understand what unschooling and self-learning mean. Unschooling is a form of education that empowers learners to explore their passions and interests outside of the conventional school system.

Unlike homeschooling, which often follows a set curriculum, unschooling is more child-led, where learning is driven by the curiosity of the child rather than formal instruction.

In an unschooling environment, children pursue subjects that fascinate them, using resources available around them—whether it’s books, online courses, nature, or even hands-on experiences.

It’s an open-ended and flexible form of education that adapts to a child's unique pace, style, and interests.

This method fosters a sense of independence, creativity, and critical thinking, allowing children to develop skills that are both practical and meaningful to them.

Self-learning is closely related. It refers to an individual’s ability to seek out knowledge, explore resources, and teach themselves new skills.

In today’s digital world, platforms like YouTube, Coursera, and Khan Academy make it easier than ever for kids (and adults!) to be self-learners.

This approach encourages lifelong learning and the development of skills beyond what a traditional classroom might offer.

EducationNext: Building Skills for the Future

As the founder of EducationNext, I believe that the future of learning lies in building real-world skills and embracing digital learning. Our mission is to promote alternate ways of learning and living that go beyond traditional models.

Adi’s story is just one example of how children can thrive when given the freedom to explore their passions and learn in a way that resonates with them.

The viral video wasn’t something we expected, but it has given us the opportunity to share the power of self-learning with a wider audience.

Through EducationNext’s Creator Program, we aim to help more young people pursue their passions, develop their skills, and follow their interests. We believe in fostering a creator mindset, not a consumer mindset, which is essential in today’s digital world.

To receive weekly newsletter and learn more about future of learning- click here

Responding to the Backlash

Of course, with virality comes backlash. Some people have questioned whether young children should be so involved in technology at this stage of life, suggesting that they should be spending more time playing video games or watching cartoons.

While we respect every parent’s perspective, we believe in the mindful use of technology.

Rather than seeing it as something that needs to be avoided, we teach children how to use it as a tool to enhance their learning and creativity, not as a distraction or a passive form of entertainment.

We understand the concerns that many parents have about children’s exposure to screens and social media.

But the truth is, technology is here to stay, and how we engage with it can make all the difference. At EducationNext, we promote the mindful use of technology—using it as a tool to fuel innovation, creativity, and learning, rather than letting it consume us.

That said, we also emphasize the importance of a balanced lifestyle. Adi and his friends are not just coding all day. They spend plenty of time outdoors, enjoy playing with friends, and are part of a community where they can share, collaborate, and have fun.

It’s crucial that while we teach kids the power of technology, we also ensure their overall well-being by encouraging time with family, being in nature, and nurturing a sense of play.

A Journey of Creation, Not Consumption

Our message through this journey has always been simple: we should inspire the next generation to become creators, not mere consumers. In a world driven by technology, those who can harness its power to create will have an edge.

Through our Creator Program, we’re equipping young learners to follow their passions, be innovative, and contribute positively to society. It’s about giving them the freedom and tools to learn, grow, and express themselves.

Creator Program with EducationNext

Do you have a young creator or self-learner between the ages of 8 to 15, working on exciting projects? Whether  building a blog, creating a game, writing stories, or exploring innovative ideas, we invite you to join our vibrant community!

Our program offers a space to share your work, get feedback, and connect with other creators. Each week, you'll attend:

• Mentoring Sessions: Personalized guidance to help you draft your plans, stay disciplined, and achieve your goals.
• Group Presentations: Present your projects to the group, exchange ideas, and collaborate with like-minded peers.

Program Fee: ₹2,000 per month

This includes 2 weekly mentoring sessions and 4 group presentation sessions. You'll receive dedicated support, feedback, and help in documenting your ideas, staying organized, and working within a supportive community of young learners!

If you’re looking for a place to grow, document your ideas, and be part of a supportive community, this is the program for you! Join

Looking Ahead

The viral clip, though unexpected, has opened doors for conversations about how we, as parents and educators, can support our children's unique journeys.

It’s a testament to how powerful self-learning can be when children are given the freedom to explore their interests and passions.

We are grateful for the overwhelming support from our new followers, and we hope that this exposure will encourage more young people to follow their dreams. We believe that the future belongs to those who can create and innovate, and we are committed to helping every child discover their unique potential.

Thank you for being part of our journey! We hope our story inspires more families to think differently about learning, and we look forward to supporting more young creators in the future.

We are thankful to all the support from Adi's mentors, friends and our connections who believe in supporting young people to create and innovate.

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