Hyperlinked

Hyperlinked is an intriguing, inspiring original series from YouTube Red. Released in 2017, the show features some of the best aspects of the digital age, including internet technology, website design and coding, combined with the relatable struggles, dreams, and camaraderie of a group of pre-teen girls.

The series follows five supremely talented girls named Juliette Brindak Blake, Izzy, Justine, Ella, and Mae, who form a girl group named ‘L2M’. These girls are not just friends and bandmates - they also run a website, Miss O & Friends, which Juliette created when she was just 16 years old. Envisaged as a safe space for girls to connect, share, learn and inspire each other, Miss O & Friends is a project that the girls are deeply passionate about. However, running a successful website is not without its challenges, and the girls have to navigate many ups and downs together. This forms the backbone of the story, serving as a platform for many life lessons.

Hyperlinked is unique in its approach to intertwining storylines about friendship, challenges, and maturing, with educational content about the workings of a digital project. As the girls deal with maintaining their site, they also juggle more universal experiences of youth – school, friendship troubles, first crushes, and identity crises. This approach makes the series a multi-faceted perspective on growing up in the digital age, appealing to both young viewers interested in technology and those seeking a relatable growing-up tale.

The series, which comprises ten episodes, highlights the importance of teamwork and promotes a constructive, supportive environment for learning and thriving. This is underscored by the fact that each girl brings a unique set of skills to the table, which contributes to the problem-solving process and, ultimately, their shared success. This underlying message reinforces the value of diversity and collaboration, delivering a powerful lesson to its young audience.

Furthermore, Hyperlinked makes a point to promote and normalize female involvement in technology and coding. It's a wonderfully progressive show that’s targeted at preteen and teen girls, and it subtly empowers them by projecting positive role models in the characters. The makers have deftly managed to incorporate real-life coding problems and solutions into the storyline without overshadowing its inherent entertainment value.

Moreover, the fact that the series is based on an actual teen entrepreneur gives it a fascinating perspective. Juliette, in whose name the real website Miss O & Friends runs, has been listed among the youngest people on the Inc. 5000 list and the Top 10 Most Powerful Women in Youth Marketing. This authentic backstory gives Hyperlinked a solid foundation, and it infuses the series with an infectious energy that keeps viewers hooked.

Hyperlinked is a children’s series, yes, but it offers something valuable for everyone. Kids will enjoy the lively presentation and fun characters, learning about the challenges and merits of team work, website building, and problem-solving without even noticing. Parents, on the other hand, might appreciate the constructive and knowledge-rich content.

Overall, Hyperlinked is not to be mistaken for your ordinary teenage drama. Apart from being a heartfelt story about friendship and finding oneself, it gives valuable insights into the digital world, empowering young viewers with knowledge of website management, the importance of a safe space on the internet, and most importantly, emphasizing the limitless possibilities that the world of coding holds for everyone, girls included. Packed with vibrant energy and a strong cast, Hyperlinked has a refreshing and engaging approach that resonates with the changing times.

This engaging slice of life from YouTube Red could just be the catalyst you need to inspire a budding coder in your life or shed light on the workings of the digital space that’s so integral to today's world. Hyperlinked strikes a fine balance between entertainment and education, making it an enjoyable watch for a wide age range and a worthwhile addition to any viewer’s watch list.