Well we teach children how to read and write language...on computers. Why not teach them how to read and write computer... for computers. http://www.codecademy.com/ I started there with no coding knowledge and learned a little bit of HTML and CSS. Next up is Java. It's really kind of fun! edit fixed link, thanks eightbitsamurai!
gonna check that link when I get home, it better be free.. I plan to dig in to learning code this summer among some other things. Thanks for the resource!
Also check out http://coderdojo.com/ if you're under 18 and need someone to help you code... in real life. That's where I learnt to program and the learning model is really cool, each dojo has a group of mentors to show you how to code, and once you get the hang of it you show other kids how to code, they use coloured USB belts as incentive for the last bit. the atmosphere is very relaxed, it gives you alot of freedom depending on which one you go to. they're a non-profit, all the buildings, equipment and mentor time is donated so going is free, but the main reason I go is to meet other people who can code and show those who don't know how. :)
Oh god, human interaction? shudders. Haha I'll give it a try I'm sure I'll need some deeper guidance and the motivation seems great too. Thanks!! edit: oh wow this is literally a brick-and-mortar place. Cool..