Don't give AirPods to your kids—here's why (2024)

Don't give AirPods to your kids—here's why (1)

Updated January 6, 2020

We'll be the first to admit: We're obsessed with AirPods (and even more so with AirPods Pro). But just because we think the iconic white earbuds are great for you—assuming you're the average adult—doesn't mean that we think they're great for your kids.

In fact, they could actually be dangerous when placed in the wrong hands. A.k.a. little hands. Just take it from the parents of the 7-year-old boy who was recently rushed to the emergency room because he swallowed a rogue AirPod. Yikes. Below, we dive into all the reasons (and there are plenty!) why you shouldn't give those fancy Apple earbuds to your kids and what you can buy for them instead.

Why AirPods are a bad idea for children

Don't give AirPods to your kids—here's why (2)

As evidenced by the above news story, AirPods—or any small wireless earbuds—are a serious choking hazard for young kids. And even when used correctly and placed in your child's ears, they can still do damage. "Even with older kids, we don't recommend using standard earbuds with kids," TJ Donegan, our executive editor, explains. "They're just way too loud, often hitting well over 100dB(a)—far above 85dB(a), the maximum level that experts recommend for kids and young adults."

It isn't just about your child's health, either (although that's priority number one!). Giving your kids the tiny white earbuds could also be costly to your wallet. "Even if your kid isn't likely to swallow them, it's incredibly easy for a single earbud to go missing—something that can cost you nearly $100 to replace," TJ cautions.

How to keep AirPods safe around your kids

Out of sight, out of mind is the best advice that TJ has for parents. "As with any small electronic device, you have to be careful about leaving them around where pets and children could find them," he warns. That means keeping your precious AirPods on high counters or shelves where little hands can't reach them. If you do choose to let your child wear your AirPods, make sure you keep the volume to 60% maximum, TJ says.

The best kids headphones to buy

Don't give AirPods to your kids—here's why (3)

TJ recommends always opting for kid-specific headphones when you're shopping for your little one. "Standard earbuds are okay if you can keep the volume limited to around 60% of the maximum, but a better choice is a pick from our roundup of the best kids headphones, which includes both wireless, noise-cancelling, and gaming headphones that are all safe for kids," he says.

Our current top pick? The Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Kids Headphones. Not only are they volume-limiting so you can protect your child's ears, but they're also noise-cancelling (a rare find with kids headphones!) so your child isn't tempted to crank up the volume anyways. And yes, they're even wireless—and come in flashy colors—so your child will feel just as cool rocking them.

Get the Puro Sound Labs PuroQuiet Kids Headphones from Amazon for $99.99

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Don't give AirPods to your kids—here's why (2024)

FAQs

Should a 12 year old have AirPods? ›

AirPods: For adults only. As evidenced by the above news story, AirPods—or any small wireless earbuds—are a serious choking hazard for young kids. And even when used correctly and placed in your child's ears, they can still do damage.

What is the appropriate age for AirPods? ›

Ultimately, Apple says there's no age recommendation for AirPods, and it's up to parents to draw the line.

Do Apple AirPods talk to you? ›

You can get Siri to announce your incoming notifications with these headphones: AirPods Max. AirPods (2nd generation) or later. AirPods Pro (1st generation) or later.

How to do the AirPods listening trick? ›

Wear your AirPods, and make sure they're connected to your device. , tap the name of your AirPods, then tap Live Listen. , add it to Control Center—go to Settings > Control Center, then choose Hearing. Position your device near the sound source.

Are earbuds safe for 11 year olds? ›

It can be safe for a child to use headphones or earbuds, depending on a combination of volume, listening duration, and the size of the ear canal. One song played at high volume will not likely damage a child's hearing.

Should you take AirPods to school? ›

On the other hand, airpods can be distracting to students who need to focus on school assignments, and listen to the teachers for instructions in a class. Overall, most agree that the only time airpods should be allowed in class is at teachers discretion.

Do AirPods get quieter with age? ›

Like many other earbuds, AirPods can also experience issues over time – such as not being as loud as when you first got them.

Why do kids wear AirPods in class? ›

Though they can be distracting if used in an abusive manner, allowing for airpods to be in use during school hours could benefit students in terms of performance, focus level, and overall mood because it allows them to have that personalization and serene feeling when walking through the halls and working in class.

Is it OK to wear AirPods a lot? ›

Sometimes, wearing your AirPods for too long can cause chafing of the skin, itchiness, and even ear pain. Not only is this uncomfortable but listening to your AirPods nonstop without any breaks can also damage your ear health.

Why is Siri reading my texts? ›

Siri reads your incoming notifications out loud when your headphones are connected to your iPhone or iPad, you're wearing them, and your device is locked. If the app that you're using classifies a notification as time sensitive or as a direct message, Siri plays a tone, then announces the notification automatically.

Do AirPods read text messages? ›

Use your AirPods (2nd or 3rd generation), AirPods Pro (all generations), or AirPods Max to listen to messages from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. When your device is locked, your AirPods are connected to it, and a message arrives, a chime sounds and you can use Siri to read the message.

Can you use just one AirPod? ›

If you're using only one AirPod, that AirPod will be the microphone. You can also set Microphone to Always Left or Always Right. You can also set Microphone to Always Left or Always Right to always have either the right or the left AirPod use the microphone even if you remove it from your ear or put it in the case.

How do I turn off live listening? ›

Turn off Live Listen
  1. Tap Settings > Accessibility, then select Hearing Devices.
  2. Tap the name of your hearing device under MFi Hearing Devices.
  3. Tap End Live Listen.
Sep 19, 2019

How do I charge my AirPods without a case? ›

Unfortunately, at the moment, there is no safe, acceptable way to charge AirPods without a charging case. It's understandable to think otherwise, though. After all, myths about charging AirPods without their case have been floating around on social media.

Can a 3 year old wear headphones? ›

It is safe for a toddler to wear headphones as long as their pair have the proper features that provide sufficient protection. But parents should not solely rely on the headphones' characteristics. They must additionally supervise him or her while they use devices to ensure they are being used safely.

What if a child eats earbuds? ›

If she swallowed a whole earbud it may not pass through her stomach. If she swallowed the whole earbud,it would be best to take her to the emergency section of your nearest hospital so that she can be examined.

Do kids need smaller earbuds? ›

Since children have smaller ears than adults, standard-sized ear tips simply won't do. They won't fit properly and thus will affect the overall sound quality and noise isolation. As such, choosing earbuds with the appropriate ear tip size, style, and material is vital to ensure general comfort.

Are AirPods free for students? ›

How to Get Free AirPods From Apple. Every year, Apple comes out with a promotional program known as 'Back to School' where it offers discounts on certain products to higher education students and other qualified buyers to mark the start of the academic year.

How important is AirPods? ›

There are a few good reasons why Apple AirPods are so popular: they're lightweight, easy to use, reliable, offer decent sound-per-pound and bring Siri to life in your ears. Plus, although they work best when used with an Apple product, they can be paired with any Bluetooth device, from smart TVs to smartphones.

What if I lost my AirPods at school? ›

If you've lost or misplaced your AirPods, you might be able to find them if you use the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac that you're signed in to with the same Apple ID. With AirPods Pro (2nd generation), you can also locate the charging case on the map if it's separated from your AirPods.

What if my AirPods go from 100 to 0? ›

If you're facing the 0% Battery problem, your best bet is to take your AirPods to an authorised service centre. Provided they're under warranty or Apple Care, the technicians should help you.

Why do AirPods last so little? ›

This is because their lithium-ion batteries are small. Since they can only hold a charge for about 5 hours, AirPods owners have little choice but to charge them more frequently which causes the batteries to gradually deteriorate after every charge.

Why is Siri so loud in my AirPods? ›

You can ask Siri to change your volume settings. Just say "Hey Siri, speak louder" or "Hey Siri, speak quieter." If you want to change the volume when Siri is speaking or when you're using headphones, press the Volume buttons on the side of your iPhone. If you can't hear Siri, you might need to turn on Ring mode.

What percent of kids have AirPods? ›

Apple's AirPods have achieved an all-time high in Piper Sandler's surveys, with 72% of teens currently owning a pair. Piper Sandler also reports that intention of teenagers to get an iPhone as their next phone is broadly the same as before. In Fall 2021, it was 88%, now in Spring 2022, it is 87%.

Are AirPods safe for 7 year olds? ›

AirPods don't have such safety measures, and kids are likely to try and push the volume as high as possible. This will damage their hearing, as it could for anyone, but in young and developing ears, the risk is so much higher.

Should kids have headphones in school? ›

Headphones help keep all students on the same level and encourage them to pay attention and interact with the teacher because they can hear every word. Whether it's young students at workstations or high school age students using headphones with tablets, headphones play a pivotal role in your lesson plan.

Can you wear AirPods in the shower? ›

AirPods Pro and AirPods (3rd generation) aren't designed for use in water sports like swimming, or for showering.

How loud is too loud for AirPods? ›

Experts recommend keeping sound levels at somewhere between 60 and 85 decibels to minimize the damage your ears are exposed to. If you are listening to music at around 100 decibels, restrict your usage to within 15 mins.

Is it OK to sweat with AirPods? ›

"Simply put, sweat—and any kind of water—will damage headphones permanently if it gets inside," our executive editor, TJ Donegan, explains. "The AirPods don't take any special measures to prevent this from happening, so your best bet is to just not use them while working out."

Can Siri read old texts? ›

Just say something like "Do I have new messages?" or "Check my messages." Siri will respond with how many unread messages you have, and begin reading the first one back.

How do I disable Siri? ›

Here's how. Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Step 2: Select Siri & Search. Step 3: At the top, toggle off Listen for “Hey Siri”.

Can AirPods sense your ear? ›

Turn Automatic Ear Detection on or off

By default, AirPods sense when they're in your ear and receive the audio from your device. AirPods also pause and resume playback when you remove one of your AirPods, or stop playback—and won't resume—when you remove both.

Why do my AirPods go quiet when I talk? ›

Change the volume of sound effects using iPhone or iPad

On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Accessibility > AirPods. Select your AirPods, then adjust Tone Volume.

Do AirPods let in noise? ›

AirPods Pro and AirPods Max have three noise-control modes: Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Off. You can switch between them, depending on how much of your surroundings you want to hear.

How do I rename my AirPods? ›

On iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Go to Settings , then tap the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen. Tap the current name, enter a new name, then tap Done. On Mac: Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click the name of your AirPods in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down), then enter a new name.

How do I find my lost AirPods? ›

Locate your AirPods in the Find My app
  1. Open the Find My app.
  2. Select the Devices tab.
  3. Choose your AirPods. Under each device, you see a location or "No location found."
Sep 22, 2022

How do I make one AirPod louder? ›

On your iOS device, go to Settings menu, then tap on Accessibility > Audio/Visual. Adjust the slider to redistribute the sound balance between the left and right AirPod.

Do AirPods have history? ›

Airpods are literally headphones with a Bluetooth chip, so they don't store any sensitive information.

How do you wear AirPods? ›

Gently press AirPods in your ears and rotate toward your face. Your AirPods should feel snug and secure.

How long do AirPods last? ›

With multiple charges in your case, you get up to 30 hours of listening time,7 or up to 20 hours of talk time. Your AirPods (3rd generation) can get up to 6 hours of listening time (up to 5 hours with Spatial Audio enabled)9 or up to 4 hours of talk time on a single charge.

What happens if you put someone else's AirPods in your case? ›

If the case is the same model as your AirPods then there shouldn't be a problem. This means that if you have an AirPod Pro you can use someone else's AirPod Pro case. But, you can't use AirPods in an AirPods Pro case. The dimensions just aren't the same.

Do AirPods stay in small ears? ›

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless are the best earbuds for small ears we've tested. These high-end earbuds are the next generation of the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless, and unlike their predecessor, they come with four sets of ear tips instead of three, and the newest one is an extra small pair.

How long does 12 AirPods last? ›

With multiple charges in your case, you get more than 24 hours of listening time,13 or more than 18 hours of talk time. Your AirPods Pro can get up to 4.5 hours of listening time15 or up to 3.5 hours of talk time on a single charge.

Do students get AirPods? ›

Every year, Apple comes out with a promotional program known as 'Back to School' where it offers discounts on certain products to higher education students and other qualified buyers to mark the start of the academic year. In addition to special prices, Apple offers AirPods for free when users buy qualifying products.

Are AirPods a good gift? ›

The best headphones to gift: Apple AirPods Pro 2

They have an upgraded wireless chip for improved audio functionality, a new low distortion driver for clearer audio and improved active noise cancellation.

Do AirPods fall out while running? ›

When the main question is, “Can you run with Airpods,” the answer is there's no absolute guarantee that they won't fall out during your run. Most people do find they fall out less frequently than other wireless headphones, but when your ears get sweaty, they get slippery.

Why do my earbuds fall out when I smile? ›

Ears may be too close to the jaw

The closer your ears are to your jaw, the closer they are with the TMJs. This means that simple movements like talking or chewing can alter the size and shape of your ear canal. These movements and changes in the ear can wiggle the earbuds out of place, causing them to fall off.

Do AirPods go flat? ›

Many of us are probably guilty of using up our AirPods' battery until it's completely flat. But if this is a regular occurrence, it's going to wear down your battery quickly.

How long do AirPods last on 50%? ›

On 50% of charge on your Airpods battery, the listening time on the various models is as shown below; Apple AirPod (2nd Gen) – 2 hours 30 minutes. Apple AirPod (3rd Gen) – 3 hours. Apple AirPod Pro (2nd Gen) – 3 hours.

Why do my AirPods only last 1 hour? ›

This is because their lithium-ion batteries are small. Since they can only hold a charge for about 5 hours, AirPods owners have little choice but to charge them more frequently which causes the batteries to gradually deteriorate after every charge.

When you lose your AirPods at school? ›

On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, open the Find My app. Go to the Devices tab, and choose your AirPods. Scroll down to Mark as Lost, and select Activate. Follow the onscreen steps if you want your contact information to display for your missing AirPods.

Are AirPods a need or want? ›

So, Are AirPods Worth It? Which Pair Should You Buy? If you're leading an Apple-centric life, I'd say AirPods are a must-have. Go for the regular second-generation version if you're just looking for the basics (good sound, lengthy battery life) and get the Pro if you live for noise cancellation.

Is it OK to sell AirPods? ›

You need to remove AirPods from your Apple ID before giving away or selling them. That way, the new owner can pair them to their Apple ID and take advantage of all the features — including Find My. You can remove AirPods from your Apple ID on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac signed in with your Apple ID.

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