Had you been truthful when you registered, you wouldn't have this issue.
It sounds as though you will need to enable the chat feature on your game. Please do the following from the Wizard101 website:
Log into your account at www.wizard101.com Click on "My Accounts" Enter the parental controls password (located just above your subscription plan info) Scroll down to "manage accounts" Click the enable button located next to the chat feature Click save
This should get you chatting!
**NOTE: Accounts with under 13 status must make a Credit Card purchase of either $10 in Crowns or a subscription to access the chat features.
If you want the prize, you have to build the ladder rung by rung. There are no shortcuts.