Mobiltelefonen är INTE en leksak

How often are kids talking over the mobile phone (instead of sending sms) and how often are they using a hands-free? How often do they fall asleep with their mobile in their hands instead of leaving it far from their heads and bodies? And do they carry their mobile in the pocket, close to their heart? All in all, I just know what I see: most kids use their mobiles as if it were an ordinary toy – an amusing, fashionable, status-gadget which in fact has become an indispensable toy for the youngest.

When I googled “Mobile phone health risks in children”, I got 38.900.000 results. Many of them speak about potential health problems children may have if using mobile phone as very young. More I read, more I got frightened. I really think we should write - discuss - read more about the negative effects of an "early" use of mobile phones. Therefore, I would like to share some information I have found and try to give you some tips (I hope nothing new to most of you) on how to reduce your child’s exposure to mobile phone radiation.

Many studies show mobile phone use can increase the risk for brain and mouth tumors although there are not enough studies done on its long term effects (10+ years) – understandable when we know that only 10 years ago it was rare to see a mobile phone (maybe not in Japan?) in every hand, compared to today when (approx.) 2.5 billion people worldwide own a cell phone! Well, as I read various pro and contras regarding potential health risks caused by the use of mobile phones, I say “Better safe than sorry”.

Last year the results of the biggest studies carried out to look into the risk that radiation (from mobiles and wi-fi) causes cancer were published. The researchers scrutinised data from 18 studies from USA, Denmark, Finland, Sweden (5), the UK, Germany and Japan. The Swedish research was led by Professor Lennart Hardell of the University Hospital in Örebro.

Prof. Hardell says that - "people who started mobile phone use before the age of 20 have more than a five-fold increase in glioma, a cancer of the glial cells that support the central nervous system”. He also believes "that children under 12 should not use mobile phones except in emergencies and that teenagers should use hands-free devices or headsets and rather use 'texting' - he says by the age 20 the danger diminishes because the brain is then fully developed.”

Children are especially vulnerable to radiation from mobile and cordless phones, Wi-Fi and other devices, because their brains and nervous systems are still developing and since their heads are smaller and their skulls are thinner - the radiation penetrates deeper into their brains.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), health agencies in six countries (UK, Finland, France, Israel, Germany and Switzerland) have recommended reducing children’s exposures to mobile phone radiation.

France banned the advertising of cell phones to children, and the sale of phones designed to be used by children under 6. Additionally, several cities in France launched major anti cell phone campaigns during the 2008 holiday season (see photo above) urging parents NOT to purchase cell phones for children under 12 years old.

According to EWG, recent studies find significantly higher risks for brain cancer, salivary gland tumours, behavioural problems, migraines and vertigo among people using cell phones (for 10 years+).

Young children’s brains absorb twice the cell phone radiation compared to adults. Therefore children should stay away from cell phones and only use them in emergency situations.

A ongoing study by UCLA and University of Aarhus, Denmark has found that mothers who used their mobile phone while pregnant, and young children who used cell phones themselves, had more behavioural problems at the age of seven than non-cell phone users. Mothers who used mobile phones were 54 percent more likely to have children with behavioural problems. It is the first study to explore the health effects on foetuses and very young children.

Here are 10 simple steps you can take to substantially reduce yours or your children’s exposure to mobile phone radiation:

1. Buy a low radiation phone.

2. When on a call, use a wired headset (not a wireless headset such as a Bluetooth), or use the speaker-phone mode, or send text messages.

3. Keep the mobile phone away from your body (particularly pants or shirt pockets) or use a belt holster designed to shield the body from mobile phone radiation, when not in use (stand-by mode).

4. Avoid use in a moving car, train, bus, or in rural areas at some distance from a mobile tower as any of these uses will increase the power of the mobile phone’s radiation.

5. Use the mobile phone like an answering machine. Keep it off until you want to see who has called, then return calls, if necessary.

6. Texting is better than talking since you don’t hold phone on your ear when you SMS.

7. Use a corded land-line phone, whenever possible, instead of a wireless phone.

8. Avoid use inside of buildings, particularly with steel structures.

9. Do not allow your children to sleep with a mobile phone beneath their pillow or at the bedside.

10. Do not allow your children under 18 to use a mobile phone except in emergencies.

Yes, I know. It seems like “mission impossible”. What I do with my children is explaining and repeating over and over… and encourage them to read all information I find myself. I must admit it has some effect, but unfortunately limited, as my children are almost adults.

A very good site for both parents and (older) children is Wired Child.