UK kids warned of extended mobile use

In an interview on the BBC Radio Four Today programme, Sir William said: ‘‘If there are risks — and we think that maybe there are — then the people who are going to be most affected are children and the younger the children, the greater the danger…Parents have a responsibility to their children not simply to throw a mobile phone to a young child, and say ‘off you go’.’’

Mobile phone companies all over the world have made concerted efforts to target children, who are the big money spenders. Worldwide spending by young people on mobile phone-related products is expected to be worth $1.1 trillion. In the UK alone, kids spend approximately $5.4 billion a year on mobile phone technology. Mymo, described as ‘‘your baby’s first phone’’, was one of the most popular child gadgets this Christmas.

According to communications consultant Mobile Youth, approximately 700,000 five-to-nine year olds had mobile phones last year.

Sir William argued in his report: ‘‘The fact is that the widespread use of mobile phones is a relatively recent phenomenon and it is possible that adverse health effects could emerge after years of prolonged use. The evidence base necessary to allow us to make firm judgements has not yet been accumulated.’’

Sir William’s report also makes strong recommendations for the regulation of mobile phone towers and base stations. It says that the ‘‘erection of mobile phone base stations should be subject to independent review’’ and the public should have full access to ‘‘all up to date and relevant information’’ related to the masts and base stations.