In this inaugural edition of Tech Kids Interviews, we will feature 11-year-old Tech Kid Orvianger Yohane Lanem from Holy Cross Secondary School, Gwarinpa, Abuja, Nigeria. We discussed with Orvianger Yohane Lanem about tech and identity, creativity and building digital craftsmanship, and community and the digital citizen.
Tell me the story of your favorite device. Is it a tablet, a phone, or a family computer? What does it allow you to do and be that you couldn’t be without it?”
My favorite device is indeed a laptop. The reason is that it was the first device I ever owned, and I find it quite enjoyable to use. With it, I can create my own games and upload them to various gaming platforms. I can also easily upload gaming videos online and comfortably edit them.
Imagine your perfect, lazy Saturday afternoon. How does technology fit into that picture? Walk me through what you might watch, play, or create.”
During my free time, or during a complete tech drought, I would play all kinds of games and connect with friends I only see at school. I’d play games like Roblox to keep myself busy, and since it’s an online game that allows users to chat with close friends, I could chat and play with my friends.
Even in a digital world, there are moments for other things. Describe a time recently when you were completely absorbed in something offline—maybe a sport, a book, or time with family—and didn’t even think about a screen
A time without technology… Hmm…-Ah yes! There was a period in Lagos when everyone was bored at home. That’s when my older sister, Msendoo, came up with a very clever idea called: “Family Game Night.” We played a popular board game called “Monopoly” on the night before bedtime. The goal was to be the richest in the entire game, and I had a long Win-Streak. That was my best tech-free time ever.
Tell me about a time you felt really proud of something you built or designed using technology. It could be a Minecraft castle, a digital drawing, or a coded animation. What was the idea behind it, and how did you bring it to life?
The coolest thing I’ve ever created with technology was a fan model in Blender inspired by a Roblox game character named Astro from Dandy’s World. The goal was to make something really cool for the Dandy’s World community, but I never posted it or talked about it online. It stayed where I made it, so there’s no point in checking my online status.
We’ve all turned to the internet to learn something new. Share a story of a skill you taught yourself online—whether it was a magic trick, a dance, or how to fix something. What was that journey of discovery like?
A skill I turned to the internet for was learning how to speak Japanese. It’s crazy to think about, especially because at that time I had interesting grades in French, and I NEVER used the internet to understand French. Now, I am an A student in French. I don’t even know how, but I guess that’s just me now. Back to the question, yes, I have used the internet to learn a new skill.
If you were given a team of programmers for a week, what problem would you ask them to help you solve with an app? It could be for your community, your school, or your family. Describe how it would work and the difference it would make.
If I were given a group of programmers for a week, the problem we would create an app to solve would be MATHS. Yes, mathematics. The app would be called: “Global Aid+.” Global Aid+ would be an app designed to help with or solve any kind of math question in any topic. It could be statistics, algebraic expressions, YOU NAME IT! It is created to help minor, braindead kids understand SIMPLE MATHEMATICS!
How has technology shaped your friendships? Describe a typical after-school conversation with your friends. Are you on a group chat, or meeting up inside a game? What are you talking about or doing together?
rI am in a meeting inside a game. ROBLOX, ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR GAMES OF 2025. My friends and I usually meet up there after school. We talk about school problems, controversies, or the EVIL TEACHERS at our school (I think I’ve revealed enough). So… yes, I still stay in touch with friends even after school.
Is there a song, a dance, or a viral video that’s absolutely everywhere in your school right now? Tell me the story of how it arrived, who started it, and what makes it so catchy for you and your friends.
Yes, there is a popular movie trend skyrocketing in my school right now. It is an original Netflix movie called K-POP DEMON HUNTERS, and no one really started it at school. We all just loved the movie with its insanely catchy songs and high quality, with perfect lighting. Some of us have memorized every single word of the lyrics. Some of us even want to start a band based on the movie.
Technology connects kids across the world. Can you tell me about a time you saw or learned something online—maybe about a festival in another country, a game from another continent, or a different way of life—that truly expanded your idea of the world?”
Yes. There was a game with a dark story about something, and it felt so “real.” The topic involved a black substance called “Ichor,” based on Greek mythology, which was believed to be the blood of the gods. When it comes into contact with humans, it would instantly kill them.
Many adults have fears about kids and screen time. From your perspective, what is one thing they often misunderstand about how you and your friends actually use technology?
Indeed, my parents, mostly my mom, keep nagging me about computers because she believes that all kids do with technology is watch YouTube videos and nothing productive. I try to explain it to her, but she won’t listen. Maybe when I start making more positive impacts in different ways. In her eyes, all I do is play games or watch YouTube.
If you could write a short guide for parents on how to talk to their kids about technology, what would be the most important piece of advice in it?”
If I could write a short guide for parents on how to talk to their kids about technology, the most important advice would be that kids are more than just clueless, simple-minded people; they can also be knowledgeable computer professionals.
