I think it's vitally important that children are encouraged to have opinions at a very early age, otherwise you end up with herds of 16-25 year olds who have no idea of what's going on. It's true that they do initially take on the views of their parents and siblings ( because they observe that and have those opinions explained) but as they grow older and speak with other people ( because they have opinions an can do so) those opinions change until they become their own. My father started to teach me to debate when I was four and I enjoyed it immensely, it's one of my favourite memories having a series of facts explained to more and the being asked my opinion and being told to argue it.It was always followed by being told to argue that which I didn't believe, which usually only reinforced my earlier decision.
Would you prefer these kids not to have an opinion? Isn't that rather dangerous AOG? People with little or no self identification, of which having opinions is a part, are easy prey fro radicalisation.