The badness is up for debate (thankfully for my sake) but the addiction is not

Teaching kids that "everyone who drinks Caffeine/Energy drinks is an addict" is whack, it's an absolutely massive generalization that others a huge swath of society. We should teach kids compassion, not animosity.

Addiction isn't binary, and either some people don't get addicted as easily, and/or different people perceive addiction differently. All I know is that some people can pick up and drop substances and be unfazed, and other people can't stop even as it kills them. I have a bunch of friends who can only drink coffee for a few days before it makes them too anxious. They definitely aren't addicts, but they will buy and drink an energy drink if they need the boost badly enough.

I have no doubt that Caffeine saves lives every year by keeping people alert in dangerous jobs.

It's fine if you don't teach addiction as a moral failing.

I was baffled at the whole idea of letting a 6 year old browse the internet.