Scratch

Scratch is the world's largest and most celebrated creative coding platform, specifically designed to introduce children and young teens aged **8 to 16** to the foundational concepts of computer programming in a safe, imaginative, and engaging environment. Developed and moderated by the nonprofit **Scratch Foundation**, and rooted in decades of research from the renowned **MIT Media Lab**, Scratch goes beyond just teaching technical skills. It is an innovative, educational tool that empowers young people to cultivate essential 21st-century skills: creativity, systematic reasoning, problem-solving, collaboration, and confidence. By giving young people the ability to bring their ideas to life, Scratch fosters a global community connection that is safe, playful, and meaningful. Every Scratch project is a chance for a child to imagine, invent, and inspire. This globally accessible platform is completely **free of charge** for every child, everywhere, supporting its core mission of promoting equity in computing. It boasts a staggering community size, with over **150 million young people** worldwide using the platform and over **1 billion Scratch projects** having been created to date, with an impressive **1.8 million new users** registering monthly. Scratch is recognized as the **\#1 coding language taught in K-8 schools globally**, a testament to its effectiveness and suitability for the educational context. It is available in more than 70 languages, ensuring broad accessibility across different cultures and regions. The core of the Scratch experience is its unique, **block-based programming language**, often referred to as block-coding. This simple visual interface is a revolutionary way to learn to code. Instead of typing complex syntax, users simply drag and drop color-coded blocks (representing commands like 'motion,' 'sound,' and 'control') to create sequences of code. This drag-and-drop method makes complex computational concepts, such as sequencing, iteration, and variables, immediately accessible and intuitive for beginners. Students use these blocks to create their own **interactive digital stories, animations, and games**, transforming their wildest ideas into functional, shareable projects. Users can also 'remix' existing projects shared by the global community, which provides a fantastic starting point for editing, learning from peers, and understanding what the code for a functional project looks like. Scratch is intentionally structured as a positive digital space where kids don't just consume content; they invent, inspire, and connect with peers around the world. As students create and share, they are engaged in a powerful learning process known as Code to Learn, where they develop computational thinking skills alongside broader life skills, often referred to as the **Four Cs: Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking**. This project-based learning model is inherently cross-curricular; students often use Scratch to create dynamic reports for language arts, illustrate scientific processes (like the water cycle or cell division), or code interactive math games, demonstrating a deeper understanding of various subject areas. **For parents**, safety and privacy are paramount, and Scratch has earned a high **Parent Safety Score of 96**, reflecting its rigorous commitment to providing a secure environment. The platform features **no third-party advertisements (Ads Present: No)** and **no subscription requirement (Subscription Required: No)**, eliminating commercial content risks and unexpected costs. To maintain a friendly and constructive atmosphere, the Scratch Foundation employs a dedicated **moderation team** that actively monitors all activity on the site, responding to user reports and enforcing strict **Community Guidelines**. These guidelines emphasize treating everyone with respect and helping to keep the site friendly. An automatic **profanity filter** is in place to block inappropriate language. While the primary risk stems from user-generated content, as is common in any shared online environment, the active moderation and filtering efforts are designed to mitigate this risk. Parents are encouraged to review the Community Guidelines with their children and to discuss safe online behavior. The platform is globally available and accessible on **Web browsers, iOS, and Android** devices, and will run on most current web browsers on desktops, laptops, and tablets. For those who prefer to limit online social interaction, Scratch offers an **offline editing option (Offline Availability: Yes)**, allowing users to download the app and work on projects without publishing them or interacting with the community. Furthermore, for younger siblings or those aged **5 to 7**, a simplified version called **ScratchJr** is available to introduce beginner programming concepts. The platform supports the development of fluency in coding by giving learners the time and space to experiment, fail, and iterate, making Scratch a trusted, invaluable resource for creative learning in the digital age. Scratch should be reviewed in real family use before recommendation. Test first-session onboarding, age fit (8-16), data collection prompts, and monetization flows. Verify whether core tasks remain usable with limited connectivity, whether navigation is predictable for children, and whether adult controls are easy to find. Keep short supervised sessions and document where children need support. Re-check links and policy pages regularly because store listings and business models can change over time.