cell phones and your childs health

Cell Phones and Your Child's Health

It should be a shocker that doctors and scientists want to further

explore whether cell phone use is safe for kids. Cell phones are being

used in record numbers by kids and at younger and younger ages. Keep

in mind that what separates kids from adults is the fact that their

bodies are growing and developing. So, the impact of those radio waves

on their bodies, particularly their brains, could be significant.

Brain tumors are the medical consequence often hunted for with cell

phone use and so far have been reassuringly ruled out. However, as a

pediatrician interested in the social and behavioral aspects of kids

and life, I'm curious how the years of radio waves bombarding our

impressionable young children's synapses impacts those areas of life,

if at all.

Behind whether or not those radio waves actually damages our

children's minds, cell phone use clear may. The behaviors cell phone

use creates needs to be explored independent of radio waves. Kids

today seem ruder to me. They seem less able to make eye contact with

adults and hold a simple conversation. I've talked before about the

need for less technology in all our lives but for our growing kids we

have to acknowledge that some learned behaviors are developing because

of prolonged cell phone use starting at young ages - and because of

the adult role models around then.

I'd love to see a study comparing the social behaviors of kids who use

cell phones young with those who do not. In the mean time, let's all

try and be good role models. For starters, here are some thoughts:

1. Don't use cell phones in at any store.

2. Don't use cell phones in any waiting room.

3. Don't use cell phones when driving - especially with your kids.

4. Don't use cell phones at your child's school for any reason other

than to call 911.

I think you get the point!

For more ideas on cell phone use, check out these links:

Technology and Kids

Mom, can I have a cell phone?