I have a SR22, which my kids use (ages 5, 8, 10 and 12). They have used it since the oldest was 9.
Sometimes they feel it has a little more recoil than they'd prefer, but they are quite accurate with it.
My son and daughter trieda 22LR revolver and they preferred that to the SR22, and I think it was the slide cycle + blowback that causes then to think it was harsher recoil. I don't recall the weight being that much different between both handguns.

All in all, as has been said above, it need to fit (the SR22 fits small hands, but still plenty of grip for mine), and they need to setup and hold it right.
Fun little guns.