i got hit by a car, walking home from the double-transfer public bus i rode alone to & from elementary school everyday. it increased my pain threshold dramatically which effectively ended the bullying i'd been subject to up to that point. the whole experience was a net positive.

>Or maybe they try something stupid

that's the fastest way to become smart in my experience. humans are remarkably adept at not dying and even ballsy kids can judge their competence well enough if they're given the opportunity to learn their limits.