2 October 2008
The widespread use of mobile phones by children should be discouraged and youngsters should use the devices to make essential calls only, it has been claimed. According to a spokesman for the Department of Health (DH), children should keep mobile phone calls short to reduce the possible health risks. He was responding to research from Sweden which indicates that children may be more likely to develop brain cancer as a result of using mobile phones than adults. While the findings of this and other research into mobile phones and potential health risks associated with their usage are widely questioned, experts insist precautions should be taken. The DH spokesman said: "The UK chief medical officers strongly advise that children should be encouraged to use mobile phones for essential purposes only and keep all calls short." And he suggested that texting may be a better option for youngsters who own mobile phones as it does not bring the phone into contact with the head. The Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme 2007 found no association between short term mobile phone use and brain cancer.
© 2008 Adfero Ltd
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