I don't see why not. I mean, I'm a grown adult and I still believe in Santa. I don't mean the big fat guy in a red suit, but everything that he embodies. I think, if we teach people, no matter their age, that what Santa embodies as being what Christmas is about, we might have a healthier respect for the holidays. If we teach children that Santa doesn't exist, we have to find another way to teach them what Christmas is about. At least (in my opinion) if we start with "Santa exists because this is what Santa actually is", we could have a healthier, more respectful, generation to follow. We don't need to teach kids that some guy in a red fur suit will give you presents if you behave. We need to teach them that respect and good behaviour are rewarded and that bad behaviour has consequences. We need to teach them that respect is given both ways. We need to teach them that it is possible to give without expecting something material in return. We need to teach them about being more selfless. About sharing. And, yes, about the magic of something. The wonderment of such a season. The mind of a child is the most imaginative mind that we have and, if we start to erode that before its time, we risk losing some of the greatest creations known to man. We shouldn't lie to them, but we shouldn't also start to rubbish something that could lead to something much more profound.

As soon as we turn 10 in our family, our mums tells us who Santa really is. But a lot of other people in different families know by then. However, I believe not everyone should assume that people older than 10 know Santa doesn't exist. I had a lesson at college about beliefs and the tutor turned around and said "EVERYONE above the age of 12 knows Santa does not exist." So I made my self tear slightly and at the end of the lesson while everyone was packing away I walked up to her and said "What do you mean Santa doesn't exist? Does that mean the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy don't exist? What a heartless woman telling lies to us!" And stormed out. It should be the parents choice to say whether or not something like Santa exists. Plus, no-one should assume that people already know. There may be an 16 year old who may be a child at heart and love the thought of real magic such as Santa Claus. It's the parents choice whether children should be led to believe if Santa exists or not.
Sorry that probably didn't answer your question much... Whoops! x

It's not really hurting anything, but seriously, I'm pretty sure parents use it as a way to help entice their kids into being relatively good. Plus, it's just another way to make Christmas seem more special, rather than just another holiday... Like if kids knew, I think some of the fun would have been taken out of the holiday.

I don't see the harm in letting children believe in Santa Claus, but I don't think it's a lie that should be upheld when they figure it out. Like - children are not stupid, they'll realize it's daddy or "a friend" or someone else, idk. I haven't heard of children that didn't outgrew it at least. So I don't see the harm ^_^