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In a couple well received answers to a recent question it is suggested that sliding on the road is an important consideration for helmets.
A number of children's helmets now are available with spikes or ears or fins that would seem to have a meaningful impact of the ability to slide.
Are these helmets less safe?
They are probably as safe as any other children helmets.
When buying, check if they are certified by local certification agencies
See this : http://www.bhsi.org/standard.htm
Sad to say, I think with children the main injury mechanisms are falling off their bike at low speed or getting hit by a car. Both are blunt force trauma that the helmet can mitigate with little sliding.
Contrast against a road or mountain bike going downhill at 50 kph and wiping out at a corner.
just from personal experience from looking at childrens helmets I can tell you that a lot of childrens helmets with ears/spikes or fins have them mounted very high up on the helmet, often near or at the top. Which should not have a meaningful impact on the child's ability to slide as these protrusions from the helmet are likely to never make contact with the ground.
