Computers were a big deal when I was in junior high. Learning assembly language was a status symbol.
Today students take computers for granted. Most students now can't program at all.
Today students take computers for granted. Most students now can't program at all.
You say that like it's a bad thing. But it's really a good thing, for both the general population and also for those select few who do know how to program.
(Also, I'd bet that the percentage of students who can program is a lot higher now than it was when you were in junior high.)