Recent research in the United States by the NPD Group found that MP3 ownership among children, aged 4 to 14, had more gains in the last three years than those seen by any other electronics product. This includes digital cameras and mobile phones, and the research covered 3,200 households.

MP3 player ownership from children within the age group of 4 to 14 rose from 4% to a staggering 28%. A company spokesman stated:

PDMP (portable digital music player) usage has doubled two years in a row, increasing 10 percentage points over the past year, making PDMP’s the strongest growth product in both year-over-year and over time trends.

In the last three years electronic items such as mobile phones and digital cameras has experienced growth it double digit percentage figures, while items such as portable CD players have experienced a similarly spectacular decline.

The survey also found that 20% of children aged 4 to 14 owned their own mobile phone, but only 13% actually use them.