Prompt's TechBlog

There I was in the local record shop the other day, minding my own business, about to purchase a DVD for the weekend, when in front of me a little girl (about seven years old) was buying a CD to transfer onto her iPod.
Her dad was happy enough to complain that they should download the music rather than pay for the CD, but he didn't once mention the damage the iPod could be doing to his little girl's ears (assuming that she hadn't already downloaded Apple's software for newer iPods that allows parents to put a cap on their children's volume.)

Ear damage from extended, high-volume use of headphones is a serious issue. More and more children are now listening to music this way, thanks largely to the proliferation of MP3 players, and they have full rein to adjust the volume to levels which could damage their ears. Manufacturers providing control software is certainly commendable, as is any source of sound advice, but such software isn't compulsory when children purchase an MP3 player for children.

A German manufacturer called Maxfield has now made an MP3 player aimed specifically at six to 12 year olds. It features volume capped at 60 decibels to prevent children's eardrums getting damaged. This innovative MP3 player is called the Max-Joy, and it is set to be launched in the UK any day soon. The Max-Joy also comes with external Koss stereo headphones which sit outside the ears to limit damage further still.

I think this is a thoroughly good idea. As modern technology becomes the norm for most children these days, the health implications of using mobiles and MP3s should definitely be considered.
Now, if we just went back to the good old days of Barbie and Action man we wouldn't have to worry about such things.