Maybe we can tell our stories for him and you can print it out?
Coach-
I was a high school and college cross country runner. I was fast. All throughout my career, I was hampered by horrible shin splints and knee problems. I was injured at the end of every Cross Country season, ruining our chances as a team and my chances as an individual at State. I wore Nikes. Pegasus, and then after I was put in orthotics, Air Structures. I assure you, the heel-striking form they allowed caused years of suffering.
I went to college, got fast, and broke. The trainers explained that with the patella tendinitis and chondromalasia would end my college career and end my life as a runner. I was crushed. As any runner who has lost his ability to run will tell you, my life ended. My reason to jump out of bed was gone, my reason to eat right was gone, my desire to maintain my GPA evaporated; and I turned to alcohol and "other" chemical distractions. Became a lifelong smoker...
Now, 17 years later, I read about barefoot running, I stumble across this forum, and I learn there is a way to run in such a way to limit these chronic injuries. I try it out, have a reason to, and successfully quit smoking. I became a barefoot runner. I was able to take up training again. And after 10 months was able to run my first 50 mile ultra - all without injury. Which would have been impossible in the trainers. 10 months no injuries? It would never had happened in the shoes. I was lucky to go 2.
We are all an experiment of one. Many of us are willing to trade the risk of cuts and scratches for the chance to avoid life-altering chronic injuries like I had in the trainers. Let the youngster try it. His avoidance of chronic issues will make him/her a better runner by avoiding down time.