I'd agree that magnums aren't a good place for a newbie (especially a child-child) to start.
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When building a rack of long guns, for the first three guns it's hard to beat a 22LR, a 12 gauge (trap loads for starters), and a 30-06 (low bullet weights or reduced loads tame it right down)---saving the 30-06 for last.

**Paying attention to stock fit and gun weight is always key.
**Small/weak kids would do well to start with a varmit rifle on varmits (not deer) before moving up to the 30-06.
**For some big game animals, the child needs to wait until they grow into being able to handle thespectrum of rifles appropirate for thatgame.
**Too many individuals enjoy setting up a newbie (no training, short stock, heavy bullets, etc.) to get slapped when introducing them to a borrowed rifle; a crime in itself, IMHO.
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Also a very key element in this equationis the attributes of theindividual --- not everyone has the same salt --- I was a string bean as a kid, and ....

22LR at 5
410 at 8
30-30 Win at 9 [:'(]
12 gauge at 10
270 at 14 (10 years older brother had a 243 &I consistantly out shot him on prairie dogs)
338WinMag at 23
Note: Did okay shooting my brother's friend's 458WinMag at 16 (standing); it was a novel experience, but the rifle was way heavy to shoot free hand (thankfully). Just never scared of a bigger gun, carries thru from childhood to today.

Just love smacking them and the more the merrier--- then again I did start with a 22 and spent the obligatory childhood time time screwing around with a 30-30, it was a looooong wait until I could save my schenkles for that 270, then I triedthat 338WinMag and oh my oh my --- now we're talkin', I've never looked back since.
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Plan on using a 458 Lott on elk this fall just for practice and grins (giggle, giggle, can't wait). I know I've strayed from the topic a bit; however, my point is there are no steadfast rules, it depends largely on the particular individual in question.