So you think it’s advisable to stop children from learning from and debating with their elders?
If your twelve year old went walk about without telling you where they were going, you'd presumably be pretty upset and maybe a bit angry (as well as relieved) when you found them again.
Actually the bad parenting would be notvrealising he wasn’t with them.
They had travelled for a day without realising Jesus was not with them. After that, it took them three days to find him.
But it wouldn’t be fair to ground a child for the failings of the parent.
I was made aware at a very young age (certainly less than twelve) that I did not go anywhere without telling my parents where I was going. If Jesus was under a similar admonishment, punishment was certainly required.