The motivations of adults are, usually, not the same as those of younger people, so that some people may be more skeptical to respond, too. Obviously, I'm generalizing here. But there are logical reasons behind that.
I think also people just instinctively feel bad turning down a child's request.
There's also that if you're 45 years old, people expect to see some accomplishments, and are skeptical if you don't have any, whereas there is no such bar for 12-year-olds other than perhaps curiosity and ambition.
It’s more that I’m happy to help people if they show me they’ve done their homework. The homework required of a 12 year old is obviously zero, because if they’re asking me they already know more than they should.
