Excessive mobile phone use by children could result in brain cancer

Dr Graham Blackwell from health information charity Wired Child, said: “The results of the Interphone study raise serious concerns about likely effects on children – their biological vulnerability and lifetime use mean they are very exposed.”

A recent study at the University of Orebro in Sweden supported the findings, saying it showed that children and teenagers using a mobile run four times the risk of a brain tumour.

Since Interphone launched, children’s use has grown significantly, while brain cancer among children has also been increasing.

‘Why should it come as a surprise that pressing mobile phones to people’s ears increases the risk of brain tumours? These findings are completely as expected from other evidence. Children are known to be more vulnerable and we need to take action to protect them,” says Professor Denis Henshaw, head of the Human Radiation Effects Group at Bristol University.

“The challenge now is we how we respond. Burying our heads in the sand is asking for trouble,” he added”.

Wired Child believes that the Government should act now to protect children.

“It’s time for the Government to stop saying, like the mobile industry, ‘we need more research’, to put appropriate warnings on mobile phone packaging, and to issue public cautions over children similar to those appearing in other countries,” said Mr Blackwell.

Last week, the French parliament confirmed a ban on mobile phones in primary and middle schools and is requiring phone manufacturers to put health warnings on phones.

“Parents just don’t realise the dangers – which go beyond brain tumours – and the Government needs to inform them, because the manufacturers certainly won’t,” added Mr Blackwell.

By Deepika Dudakia