Mobile phone risk for children

Ramrod · 12-01-2005, 08:01

Yep, this old chestnut

Quote:

CHILDREN under the age of eight should not use mobile phones, parents were advised last night after an authoritative report linked heavy use to ear and brain tumours and concluded that the risks had been underestimated by most scientists.
Professor Sir William Stewart, chairman of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), said that evidence of potentially harmful effects had become more persuasive over the past five years.........

link

NRPB site

Nugget · 12-01-2005, 09:35

I was listening to this story on the radio while I was on my travels yesterday. What really got me was the fact that, while I agree with the principle of kids having mobiles from a safety point of view, very few ever seem to have the things away from the ear - onbe lad they spoke to said that he had a contract phone with a bill of around 100 quid a month

. Now, ignoring the fact that, if any child of mine came to me with a bill of that much, I'd go mad, how can that be justified, even with the 'security' message.

More to the point, I nearly crashed the car when I heard about the phone that had been developed to be marketed directly at 4 to 8 year olds - how that can be justified, I just don't know.

Nemesis · 12-01-2005, 10:55

It's been withdrawn from sale apparently, but here's a page on it ...

http://techdigestuk.typepad.com/tech...ids_mobil.html

Ramrod · 12-01-2005, 11:34

try as I might, I can't find a link to the actual study being quoted.......NRPB want people to pay for a copy.

...........Perhaps Marina can find one

Graham F · 12-01-2005, 11:59

to be honest who would give a mobile to a kid under 8?!?! surely kids that age would be with an adult when they go out and about?!?!

Nugget · 12-01-2005, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham F

to be honest who would give a mobile to a kid under 8?!?! surely kids that age would be with an adult when they go out and about?!?!

That's my point exactly! Yet they still persist in the 'security and safety' line - I mean, when I was four, I could hardly speak (making up for it now, of course

), let alone work out a mobile (I have enough trouble with mine now, and I'm nearly 30!).

The other thing that they said was that there are now around 55 million registered mobiles in the country - there's only 60 million people for gods sake!!!