It's all scary stuff and a good reminder that life is precious and nothing is given.
My son grew up on these, just like I did. I thought him early and rode with him for years behind him to guide him and teach him. Lots of lessons on terrain, stopping, velocity, etc.
4 years ago when he was 12 he had his birthday party at our house and he asked if he could take some for a ride that have never been on one (we live in the country). I told him walking out the door, remember the rules......everyone wear seat belts, no one in the bed, and only YOU drive. Silly me.
Kids being kids, he let one of the other ones drive when they got down the street. For the life of me not sure how he did it but managed to flip it on the concrete. Never forget that feeling when one came on a four wheeler and said they got in a wreck and my son was hurt bad. Horrible drive to them, to walk up and see his injuries, to second guess my parenting while trying to keep him calm. Even longer ride over an hour in ambulance heading for downtown Houston while he is in the back screaming.
He basically lost his elbow and for a 12 year old athlete it was devastating for him. After a week in it hits them (and you) that life will never be the same. But....life also goes on and you adapt. Perspective was a big lesson during 17 surgeries over 3 years. Yes its not ideal, but there were kids down the hallway that wish they had his injuries.
I still question myself and he learned a tough life lesson on when to not be a passenger......which I think has saved him in his teenage years. Id give anything to make him whole, but he's doing great and still rides the same side by side.
Im a firm believer that you can't go through life so cautious that you dont live and sometimes that has harsh consequences because our bodies aren't invincible.
Whatever decisions you make for your kids you just need to understand the risks and be at peace with it. At any rate, kids MUST have respect for the machines, for life, and be responsible and even with that its sometimes not enough.