Or a chromebook which is probably worse.

Chromebooks themselves can actually be great machines for hacking (in the traditional sense, not the modern security/jailbreaking sense). E.g. https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/9145439?hl=en is arguably better than a direct typical Linux install because it's an isolated environment which won't break the main function of the device as you tinker.

As the page notes though, the real problem for kids is the devices are of course locked down:

> Important: If you use your Chromebook at work or school, you might not be able to use Linux. For more information, contact your administrator.