Children’s Day Special: Why ‘Internet Gold’ is the New Classroom for Students

Today is Children’s Day 2025; as we celebrate the potential of every child, we should consider one of the strong influences shaping young minds worldwide, “internet gold” content.

The term is used to describe viral digital content that captures the interest, makes the learning process entertaining, and shares on social media like a wildfire. The students of India and the rest of the world are being bombarded with such a current of short, succinct, catchy videos, memes, and tendencies that seem to deliver education, entertainment, and inspiration right to the fingertips.

Influencer culture has led to the idea that learning is not in the form of textbooks or classrooms. The creators of digital content atomize complicated concepts into enjoyable, viral material, or so-called edutainment, and knowledge is accessible as never before.  For instance, Indian education channels like Khan GS Research Centre and Physics Wallah have millions of subscribers. Why? Because they simplify complex topics into fun, digestible lessons with anecdotes, trending references, and memes. 

Platforms are increasingly mixing gamified learning, AI narration, and multilingual content, making education accessible and inclusive. We should celebrate Children's Day by acknowledging the fact that this digital revolution can make millions of people learn in a creative and inclusive way.

However, every golden coin has two sides. While “internet gold” boosts engagement, it often thrives on sensationalism, oversimplification, and algorithm-driven echo chambers. Vulnerable students might face unrealistic expectations, misinformation, or peer pressure to follow fleeting trends, impacting their mental well-being and authentic learning.

For example, a viral video from a Delhi school using AI to show students their future careers sparked awe but also highlights the blend of innovation and pressure digital content can bring. As the attention economy shapes how kids consume digital media, teaching media literacy becomes essential.

With the attention economy taking over the entire content consumption process of kids, it is essential to educate about media literacy, as it is necessary to distinguish, balance, and be critical of digital information. Children's Day makes us realise that to cultivate the young minds we should enable them to become wise digital natives who can transform the internet gold into permanent knowledge with just one single flick of the mouse cursor.

Today, on November 14, when we celebrate the rights and dreams of every child, we should ensure to help them make prudent choices in the shiny digital world, and allow this golden age of content to be of real benefit in boosting their creativity, curiosity, and future