It seems like you are implying the reason we do stuff is to make money, or at least the main motivating factor for you, or you believe it is for most people.
I started working in a factory when I was about 13 casually, and by 14 I was putting in enough hours for my technical apprenticeship.
During those years I did get paid, and I was thankful for it, but I definitely wasn't doing it for the money, and I was still going to school and then to college in parallel.
I'm sure things are different these days. It just makes me sad to think personal progress is somehow conflated with earning money.
With regard to the article. I think given what we know about social networks and young minds, it's already been shown to be a toxic mix. Getting kids on the capitalistic treadmill so young seems extremely cynical and it really does concern me.