I'm at least willing to consider a less severe penalty for the death system on players below level 6. That would, in my mind though, require a more severe penalty for people over level 9.
Bad idea! Dying is already much more severe for a higher level than a lower level. Also, and because I know you are not fond of cowards, Moloch, that would just make them more common, I do sincerely believe.
I don't know what's the point actually, if it's to keep the player base lower in levels, might as well reduce the rate at which higher levels gain xp or just introduce a new level cap…
EDIT: People don't die because they are new to the server, they die because they don't take dangerous quests seriously...