Creative young folks are resourceful. If they have artistic and/or technical leanings they will find their way into the craft of their choice. They will find resources online, in books, take classes, join clubs and groups, or proceed on their own.

If you want your folks to subscribe to this forum, y'all have a lot of cleaning up to do. We don't need a strictly enforced code of behavior but some of the shenanigans that go down here are enough to put off anyone at any age. The suggested or implied requirements of admission should NOT be "gear". In plan talk- stop with all the cell phone vs. camera and mirrorless vs. DSLR nonsense and emphasize the fun, satisfaction, and opportunity for self-expression and storytelling that photography enables. The gear acquisition will take care of itself. Some will begin with simple gear and they will progress to more sophisticated equipment as they explore and grow. Getting decent images right off the bat is encouraging. If the cell phone or simple camera presents limitations, they will find out soon enough and go on to more advanced paraphernalia. There are enough general and specialized sections here already in place. Perhaps the HEADLINES one should be "The Joy and Fun of Image making". How about talking about practical applications like family pictures at gatherings and events, shooting your favorite sports, making portraits of your favorite people, sports, shooting for the school yearbook, making effective shots at parties and concerts, telling stories in a picture, telling YOUR story, etc? Making photography part of other activities, educational endeavors, and hobbies. HEY, consider it as a career! WHY NOT!

Stop with the "I walked a mile to school, barefoot, in the snow" attitude- photographically translated to "I had to shoot everything MANUAL and sweat over smelly chemicals in the darkroom" kinda thing. Don't knock the automation and the latest tech- it can all be used creatively. The "kids" will progress as they go- some will advance and some will just have fun with what they have at their disposal.

The natural-born "artists" will become artists- you can't TEACH talent, you can only encourage and help folks develop the talents they have. The "scientists" will master the technicalities faster. They will learn from the artists and perhaps vice versa!

Too much nostalgia? There are so many mentions of one's first camera- a Brownie Hawkeye or an Argus C-# etc. Bringing your film to the drugstore and waiting a week to see the results, The rookies have no concept of what we are talking about. The new Brownie Halkeye is the cellphone, and yes, digital photography brings instant gratification or instant disappointment. Good- that makes for faster learning and low-cost experimentation! The computer and cell phone apps are the new darkroom.

Y'all old folks, remember how those GOOD prints from the drugstore photofinisher delighted you and the proverbial "bug" bit? The bug is still alive but it is cheaper and more accessible. Stop spraying insecticide all over the forum!