Your thoughts?
My daughter is 10 years old and attends public school. This year for the holidays, she asked for a cell phone…specifically an iphone. My husband and I laughed aloud when she brought up the topic during dinner. Other than the expense of the gift, why would a ten-year-old need a cell phone? We thought she was joking. She wasn’t and explained that many of her classmates own cell phones and despite a school ban on portable electronic devices, bring them to school. This surprised us.
I know there are special circumstances that a child would need a phone. I recently heard of a parent that is serving in Afghanistan and needed to reach her family when she was able to make a phone call home. I am not talking about special situations. I am surprised that young children own and freely use cell phones because it is cool or the latest trendy gadget.
According to a Statistics Canada 2008 publication
“Nearly three-quarters (74.3%) of Canadian households indicated they had a cell phone in 2008, up from (72.4%) in 2007. Younger households were much more likely to use only a cell phone, with 34.4% of households comprised solely of adults aged between 18 and 34 relying exclusively on cell phones.”
A few months ago, I received a questionnaire from Healthy Children Healthy Word that I shared on the Mindful Merchant Facebook page. It was an interesting survey asking how readers felt about cell phone safety and children. Since then I have been searching for more information about this topic.
There are many reasons why people have concerns about cell phones and safety. Texting while driving, privacy and cell phone radiation are just a few examples. Cell phones, like microwaves, portable phones etc. emit radiofrequency energy (RF) waves, which is a form of radiation. The effects of RF waves on the human body have been studied for years.
Researchers, doctors and health experts around the world remain divided about cell phone RF study results and safety. There is conflicting information about cell phone radiation, brain tumours, migraines and links to cancers. I find as many articles debunking the research and science as research suggesting cell phone radiation increases health risks.
According to the National Cancer Institute, children and cell phone use are of particular concern.
“There are currently no data on cell phone use and risk of cancer in children. No published studies to date have included children. Cell phone use by children and adolescents is increasing rapidly, and they are likely to accumulate many years of exposure during their lives. In addition, children may be at greater risk because their nervous systems are still developing at the time of exposure.”
- The World Health Organization states on their website “To date, no adverse health effects have been established for mobile phone use.”
- The American Cancer Society says “more research is needed”.
- Health Canada is not concerned at present time and advises if there is ”convincing scientific evidence in the future showing that exposure from cell phones and cell phone towers is harmful, Health Canada will take immediate action.”
Yet, according to the EMF journal, these countries have taken the following steps in regards to cell phone use and children.
- India - No use in children under 16 years of age (also it is an illegal offense for an expecting Mother to use the cell phone)
- Israel - No use in children under 12 years of age
- Russia - General limitation; no use under 12 years
- France - No long calls, no use under 16, banning of advertising to children under 12, mandatory earphones with all cell phones
- Japan - General limitation under 18 years of age
- United Kingdom – General limitation under 12 years of age
Anyone making the “hmmmm” sound? Maybe it’s just me…
I think the countries listed above are on to something, proactive. When it comes to children, perhaps it is better to err on the side of caution.
My response to Healthy Children poll is that I have some concerns. Our daughter will not have a cell phone anytime soon. I worry what a possible lifetime of exposure will do to our children. What are your thoughts?
Thank you!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post Laura! When it comes to children, I believe in being cautious. I find it very interesting that other countries have passed legislation on this, which is not usually done lightly. My children don’t have cell phones yet, though I am not opposed to kids having phones in principle, but I would want to monitor how much they use them.
I tend to think texting would be a little safer too – and kids seem to be naturally good at it too!
Finola – I agree, texting seems safer since it is farther away from the body.
If my 10 year old wants an iphone then it will mean she also has a job and is responsible to buy/ pay for it herself.
LOL
Let kids be! They know more than you do. Stop being ignorant. There is no scientific fact that cell phones are cancer agents. Your daughter will not be driving any time soon while texting. She’s 10 years old! Forbidding the young from being contemporary without proof of any real danger is the sign of a despot.
Not buying my daughter an expensive electronic toy does not make me a despot. After reading much about the subject and studies, the above post is my opinion…thank you for yours Jymn.
Wow, tricky subject matter. I tend to be cautious and probably worry more than I have to about things like radiation from cell phones, but if the scientific community can’t provide conclusive proof that they are safe, at the very least we should be keeping them away from children. After all, children tend to be more susceptible to chemicals and toxins than adults – wouldn’t the same hold true for radiation?
It is tricky subject matter. Sure makes for lively disscussion.
Thanks for your comment Andrea.
I do wonder when I will allow my son to carry a cell phone. At 9yo he has already asked for one. He has also asked for an e-mail address and a facebook account. Both I have refused, at this time. When I ask him why he wants these things he says “because my friends have them”. And he is right, they do. I remind him that I am not his friends parent and he will get one when the time is right.
It’s tricky, isn’t it? I imagine it also depends on the child and the situation. I have one child that loses/misplaces everything…she’d lose a phone very easily. Thanks for commenting Chantal
Total agreement here. It’s not just children who should be cautious. We have a cell phone, and I give it to my 13 yo on days when he is taking public transit on his own to extra-curricular activities, but he only carries it in case of emergencies, and leaves it off except during the time when he is actually in transit. When he arrives at his destination he calls me — ON THE PAY PHONE or by asking to use the office phone! Like everyone used to do! And my husband and I use the cell phone only for emergencies, too. Admittedly, our definition of emergency was getting a bit broad (i.e. I forgot to ask him to pick up milk on the way home), but we are scaling back use again. There was a good article, based on two new books, on this topic in the Guardian Weekly recently.
Hi Melissa! Will look up that article, thank you.