I think the notion of computer literacy grew up in the first place as an accident of history, because of the great speed with which computers have become important. They grew up in a world without computers. Suddenly, they have had to face up to a shocking change in the very nature of the world around them. In inventing computer literacy courses, they have designed a curriculum for themselves , not for the kids who have grown up with Pacman, automated bank tellers, and bar code readers in the supermarket. Another, more sophisticated reason is a confusion about the role of education in social mobility.
Many people think that by learning to program computers one can get a good job.
The problem with this idea is that what works for a few people stops working when everyone does it. Many years ago, hardly anyone had a high school diploma. Those who did have one could get the cream of the jobs. A few decades ago, about half the population of the United States graduated from high school. Now, almost everyone has a high school diploma, and it's worthless.