Warning bells over children's phone use
The Dominion Post
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New health warnings on the dangers of children using cellphones has reignited debate on whether the devices are safe for regular use by young people.
Should children be allowed have cellphones from a young age? Do you restrict your child's cellphone use? Post your comments below
Toronto's public health department has recommended children under eight should use a cellphone only in emergencies, and teenagers should limit calls to less than 10 minutes so as to limit exposure to electro-magnetic radiation.
The agency says research on the effects on children is "very limited" but many scientists feel they may be more susceptible to any harmful effects from radiofrequency waves. They have a smaller head and brain, thinner skull bones, skin and ears, and their brains and nerves are still developing.
Today's children have started using cellphones at a younger age, so their lifetime exposure will be greater, it says.
Toronto Public Health supervisor Loren Vanderlinden told the Toronto Star scientists were previously "pretty dismissive" of any risk but it appeared people who had been using their cellphones over time were at greater risk of certain types of brain tumours.
Similar advisory bodies in Britain and Germany recommend discouraging non-essential use of cellphones by under-16s "as a precautionary measure".
The New Zealand Health Ministry recommends people use hands-free kits, keep calls short and use phones in areas with good signal.
Some studies have suggested a possible link between very high cellphone use and brain tumours, though others show no connection.
Public opposition this year to a controversial cellphone tower proposal for Atawhai, Nelson, contributed to Telecom putting its plans on hold. The company had proposed to erect the tower next to a playcentre, prompting fears of exposure.
National Radiation Laboratory manager Jim Turnbull, who advises the Health Ministry on the issue, said yesterday the New Zealand exposure standard limits for wireless devices were designed to provide protection for all age groups.
It was possible, however, that children were more vulnerable to "subtle effects" not yet discovered, due to their more absorbent brain tissue and longer lifetime exposure.
New Zealand Cancer Society medical director Chris Atkinson said last night research on the health effects of cellphone use was inconclusive. But it was possible a link would be found between excessive use and negative health effects in the future.
It was wise to pay attention to "a sensible public health comment" from a city "as sensible" as Toronto, he said.
It was a good idea "for many reasons" for children not to overuse their cellphones.
Newlands mother Paula Wortman, whose 11-year-old daughter, Celia, has owned a cellphone for about two years, said she had not heard about possible health effects from cellphones - but she was unconcerned.
"I feel safer knowing she can get hold of us in an emergency."
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This argument isnt new.. No-one can really prove anything until our younger generation hit 50 and we start finding their brains riddled with tumours.. Or not.. If you think its worth the risk then give your kids cellphones and unlimited credit and hope you're around to cash in on the lawsuits while your child is dying of brain cancer. If not, and you want to ensure that your child is safe and can get hold of you at any time; Buy them a cellphone, teach them how to use it safely, and tell them its only for emergency use until they're 14-15-16 and can get a part time job to fund the cost of using it regularly. Common sense..
I believe everything I see and read on teh intawebs too.
You, my friend, need a good dose of www.snopes.com
Just search for popcorn and you'll find your answer to what was really an advertising campaign for blue tooth headsets. I NOES!!!!!1
In the '80's it was radiation from power lines, then from computer monitors. No one has ever proved conclusively that radiation from any electromagnetic or electronic device causes death, or any form of long-term harm. If cellphones were really that dangerous, why aren't the cancer wards full of people with cellphone-related problems? In terms of exposure to microwave and other high-frequency radiation - you get far more from your TV set and electric blanket, than you ever will from your cellphone. Is it good for you? Probably not, but many other things like smoking and drinking alcohol do far more damage.
Both my kids 8yr and 11yr have mobiles. If the gvt said they're not allowed, then the gvt should fix the crime status in NZ while they're at it - then I wouldn't be so paranoid when the kids are walking home from school.
What a load of *#@! We get more radiation from space then cell/mobile phones. Without proper/hard evidence it is a shot in the dark.
its a fake video. r u really that gullible???
Here's the link that proves it is a hoax:
http://www.snopes.com/science/cookegg.asp
"The popcorn effect was achieved by dropping already-popped corn into the scene during filming, then using digital editing to remove the kernels form the table"
"I saw a clip recently where 4 cellphones are placed in a small circle with the aerial ends pointed to the centre. In the centre are a few kernels of unpopped corn kernels. When the phones ring simulteneously, the popcorn pops."
This is a fake. Where did you see the clip? Have you checked it out on snopes.com (the best website for verifying things like this)?
I saw the advertisement for Cellguard - very dodgy, when they said it 'prevented the body absorbing radiation'.
Which is, patently, rubbish.
It may, in itself, absorb radation, but would not prevent the body absorbing, and, then, some absorbant material behind the battery wouldn't even act as a shield - since it could only cover one area.
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Maybe we should ban water consumption as it may possibly be revealed to cause bowel cancel in future scientific studies that show a "possible link" possible link??? Oh cmon there is a "possible link" that man was created rather than evolved so should we start teaching that in schools again?