Should tackle football be banned for people under 12?

averyapro

People under the age of twelve have every right to play tackle football as 30 year olds in the NFL. It's not like these twelve year olds are playing against football players who are a foot taller than them and thirty more pounds. They are playing with kids who have the same build and are the same skill level. Obviously, there are going to be a few more children that are a little bit bigger and larger but that doesn't mean everybody is. Someone may argue that they have a higher chance of injury or they shouldn't suffer an injury at that age. First of all, they have the same chance of getting hurt as anybody else. Also, I have a friend who is thirteen and sprained their ACL in seventh grade and they are as fine as could be so the injury isn't going to change on age. Playing tackle football at any age is ok. 

Vaulk

The issue with letting children play full contact football is the same issue my Grandfather posed to me when I was a kid.  I was a young kid that thought football was cool and he was a 30 year Doctor who told me that playing football significantly increases your chances of sustaining an injury at a young age that will stay with you for the rest of your life.  

I'd have to ask for some sort of research or study that concludes with any certainty that kids who play contact sports are at no greater risk of sustaining a life changing injury as other kids who don't play contact sports.  I think the concern is having a child who can't make the best decisions for themselves (Because they're children) deciding to play football, sustains a major injury and by the time they're 18...they wish they hadn't been allowed to do such a thing as the results adversely affect their life to that day.  The studies and research done that suggests that it's not a good idea to let children play football is widely available.  I don't think personal experience should be used to discredit scientific research and data.

I don't personally think kids should be allowed to play football before 17.  I think it's fine to practice, train and exercise for the game but letting kids run full force into each other is NOT a good idea.

http://time.com/4948320/football-brain-damage-consussions-study/
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2017/09/19/study-links-youth-football-greater-risk-later-health-problems/UF3vWIAraotnJnbU8o8TDP/story.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/19/sports/football/tackle-football-brain-youth.html
http://orthokids.org/Sports-Injury-Prevention/Football-Injuries