Young minds are flexible, resilient and able to learn quickly. Young minds are more open to possibilities. Older minds are more resistant to change, more likely to disbelieve what they don't understand.

But young minds are weak to influence, whereas older minds are tempered.

I believe in the up coming episodes these things will be important to remember. IF there is something on the island effecting people allowing them to tap into the hidden potential of the human mind, unlock abilities such as Telepathy or to influence reality. The young are dangerous because they will be quick to learn how to use their power, but won't have the strength or integrity to do the right thing. Power corrupts.