Can Cell Phone Use During Pregnancy be Harmful?
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Ever since cell phones became popular, debate has swirled about their safety. The latest issue is whether or not the excessive use of cell phones during pregnancy and their use by children can negatively impact behavior.
Researchers posed questions about cell phone usage to mothers of children enrolled in a long-term study on pregnancy behaviors and their impact on children. A total of 13, 159 Danish children aged 7, were used for the cell phone study.
The results indicated that there may be a correlation between cell phone usage by pregnant women and young children and behavior problems. It was revealed that there was an 80 percent risk of ‘serious behavioral problems’ when mothers who used cell phones during pregnancy also allowed their young children to use them.
In fact, the results of the study indicate that there was a 54 percent risk of behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, emotional problems, conduct problems and peer pressure problems among kids whose mothers used mobile phones while pregnant. Children who used cell phones, but whose mothers were not cell phone users had an 18 percent higher risk of behavior problems.
Jorn Olsen, PhD, one of the researchers for the study, was quoted on WebMD explaining the findings, “This is just a statistical association. We don’t know if it is causal or not.” This means that there may not be any need to start worrying excessively about restricting your cell phone use when pregnant.
On a personal note, I do not believe that children younger than 14-years old should be allowed to own a cell phone, and even then, they should be advised to limit the amount of time spent on them. After all, the verdict is still out as to whether or not exposure to radiation from cell phones can be harmful. There have been studies that claim that they can lead to serious health issues, while other studies refute this claim. In the interim, I believe in erring on the side of caution.
Olsen also shares the same views. He stated that, “This study just raises suspicion. It does not indicate a strong association, but calls for caution in using cell phones during pregnancy and early childhood…”
Those who want to read the complete study can do so in the July issue of Epidemiology.
Owen says...
I am certainly not surprised. I think cellphones are great, but shouldn’t be overused.
Dawn says...
I don’t think cell phones should be used regularly by children under 14 for other reasons… I believe it prevents “normal” socialization.
Think about it–there’s nothing more rude (or unenjoyable) than going out to dinner with a bunch of people who sit there throughout the meal tapping away on their blackberries or who take calls in the middle of conversations.
When I am hanging out with someone, I believe in focusing on *that* person. If I want to be with the friend I’m speaking with on the phone, then I should just go hang out with them! To teach children that rude cell phone behavior is the norm, and to get them started doing it at a young age–we will soon turn into a society that never has a face to face conversation, preferring texting over talk, cell phones over real life interaction.
Cell phone use in adults also promotes working during family time…(I’m basing this purely on observation.) Teaching children that family is not as important as the person on the other end of that line.
Cell phones have their place, certainly. But anyone under 14 really should be able to survive without one.
Yes, you hit a nerve here.