Typically, this youth corps is considered a liability. But given the existing base of people, a large youth population is an asset as nations move forward, particularly in countries where older members of society are less literate. We all know that kids take to computers as they do to language, and that given the chance, they will jump into the digital world with passion, delight, and abandon. With the Internet, this changes dramatically. It's no longer necessary to plot every step in advance.
Kids can teach other kids around the world.
Reasons for being able to read and write will become obvious. In developing countries the telephone systems are not just dilapidated, scarce, and poorly run, they're also outrageously expensive monopolies that, in almost every instance, are state owned. At least it is possible - without digging up Africa or managing 100 different phone companies. Access to low-cost computers seems more difficult. As we press machines into harder duty and make them more sophisticated, we sometimes forget that for some people simple equipment is much better than none at all.