Content area
Full Text
Children are increasingly using cell phones. "Family package" deals make it easy for parents to obtain phones for their children, and the phones provide parents with the comfort of easy access to their children. However, cell phones emit radio frequency (RF) radiation (Bucher & the Committee on Appropriations, 2010). While the government has deemed RF radiation to be safe, there is no current significant research to make this claim. To determine the relationship between cell phone radiation and brain cancer requires long-term studies lasting decades and with inclusion of frequent users in the subject pool. Further, to extend the results of any study to children requires controlling for the differences between juveniles and adults regarding the composition of the head, and bone density and neural tissue. Dr. L. Hardell of the University Hospital of Sweden noted that "it is necessary to apply the precautionary principle in this situation," especially for long-term exposure that is likely to affect children (Hardell as cited in Mead, 2008, p. 1). There is cause for concern.
With new technology, there are typically risks and benefits. Potential harm is often not realized until years later. At the end of 2011, there were almost 6 billion mobile subscriptions. That is a dramatic increase from 5.4 billion in 2010 and 4.7 billion mobile subscriptions in 2009 (International Tele - communications Union, 2011). Due to its relatively short-term consumer use, concerned citizens are still examining the consequences of its radio frequency (RF) (Walsh, 2010). Three out of every four children under 12 years of age use a cell phone (Fernandez, 2011).
Worldwide, many researchers have raised the issue of the possible harm considering the increas ed use and cumulative effect of RF (Hardell, Carlberg, & Hansson, 2009). This is of concern regarding children; because of their thinner skulls and developing brains, they may be more susceptible to cellular damage. Several countries have issued warnings about cell phone use for children, but the United States government has not. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), scientific research has not demonstrated adverse human health effects of exposure to RF energy from mobile phone use, but research is ongoing that may increase understanding of any possible effects. In addition, officials from the Food and Drug...