Certain microwave radiation wavelengths pass through the Earth’s atmosphere and can be used to transmit information to and from satellites in orbit.
What are the effects of microwaves?
Over-exposure to certain types of electromagnetic radiation (such as microwaves), can be harmful. The higher the frequency of the radiation, the more damage it is likely to cause to the body. Microwaves are able to cause internal heating of body tissues.
Children’s safety while out
Parents see the main benefits to children aged 8 and upwards owning a mobile phone as: being able to make sure children are safe at any time; being able to contact children at any time; and, children being able to contact family at any time. These are also the main reasons given by parents whose children actually have a mobile phone.
Mobile phones can also give young children/ teens more confidence in going out at night, knowing that they can always contact their friends or family if anything bad happens.
Age of users decrease
Although there are some advantages of using a mobile phone, there are many disadvantages. Now it seems that the age of mobile phone users are continuously decreasing, and children as young as five own a mobile phone.
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One company that has picked up on the concerns of parents is Disney Mobile. Disney Mobile was set up in the US (June 2007) and provides families with mobile phones specifically designed for "tweens, young teens and parents who want to keep an eye on them", according to the Disney Mobile Web site. Unlike standard mobile phones, these handsets feature software that allows parents to limit texts, calls and downloads, restrict phone usage and even locate their children via GPS.
Their latest phone is the Disney D100, which features a Mickey Mouse-style keypad and a picture of Winnie the Pooh on the casing -- Disney Mobile seems to be marketing itself as a family solution, aimed at concerned parents, and not directly at children. Making the phones look like toys means they might well create competition among children for who has the coolest new gadget – leading to bullying, which is another concern for children owning a mobile phone.
Cancer in children
These new stylish looking phones will undoubtedly lead to more children asking their parents to buy them a phone, which will increase the number of children’s health deteriorating. This report shows the belief of a young girl who died from a brain tumour – whos parents thought it to be because of her mobile phone.
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This suggests that the research and claim have supporting evidence and they come from very reliable sources.
Increased risk of brain tumours
However - some studies have caused concern in the media. For example, in March, 2003 a study in the ‘International Journal of Oncology’ suggested that mobile phone users had a 30% increased risk of brain tumours that occurred close to the ear used for mobile phone listening. Such evidence is likely to be able to be relied upon, as the Journal featured is an unbiased base from where the research has been conducted. However, it may be possible that as the purpose of the article was to entertain the reader, the evidence may be biased towards showing only the damage that mobile phone use causes, to create a more interesting read.
Theft
A phone is a valuable item, which may attract unwanted attention; so it is best to keep it hidden until you need to use it. Information for the report, Mobile Phone Theft, was taken from the British Crime Survey (BCS) 2000, two school surveys and analysis of recorded police robbery figures, and confirms that mobile phone crime has dramatically increased in recent years, rising by 190% since 1995 (subscriber numbers have increased by almost 600% since 1995). Mobile phones are now involved in 28% of all robberies compared to 8% three years ago. A huge number of phones were stolen last year, 90000, and this figure is constantly rising.
Using phones while driving
Mobile phones distract people from what they are doing, and can often cause accidents on the road or at a workplace. It is dangerous to use a mobile phone while driving, because it distracts you from the mental concentration needed to drive safely. You put yourself and other road users in danger.
Research has shown that driver's reaction times are up to 50% slower that normal when driving and using a mobile phone. It also shows that your reaction times are 30% worse than when driving under the influence of alcohol. Other research suggests that if you are using a mobile phone while driving you are four times more likely to have a crash.
Because many accidents have occurred on the roads while using mobile phones, the UK Department for Transport brought in a law for using mobile phones while driving; receiving 3 points on your licence and a fine of £60 if you are caught. This is to ensure that no one uses mobile phones while driving, so the risk of accidents on the roads can be reduced. Nematode Worms
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Nematode Worms
Research shows that nematode worms exposed to mobile phone radiation produce more eggs, release stress hormones and grow larger. But what is the effect of mobile phone radiation on people?
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This suggests that the research and claim have supporting evidence and they come from reliable sources
Potential new risks from mobile phones
Below is a diagram to visually show the potential new risks from mobile phones, and how they affect the human body
Health warning leaflets?
One of the ways that the Government have attempted to discourage people from smoking is to ban all cigarette advertising. This strategy could be applied to mobile phones in a way that prohibits mobile phone companies from targeting the younger generation. The Government could also insist that mobile phone manufacturers include health-warning leaflets with each phone sold.
Bibliography
Telegraph, 12 September 2005,
Mobile phone fear for owners aged five, by David Derbyshire
Daily mail, 14 June 2002,
Our daughter died of a brain tumour... we blame her mobile, by Lech Mintowt-czyz
www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/advice/mobilephones.htm
What is the law about mobile phones while driving?
Scientist Print Edition. (Journal reference: Enzyme and Microbial Technology - vol 30, p 73),
06 February 2002,
Mobile phone emissions increase worm fertility, by Duncan Graham-Rowe
Differentiation, Vol. 70 Issue 2-3 Page 120 May 2002
diagram
