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Wales: Minister schaduwkabinet, ''onze kinderen beschermen tegen mobiele telefonie''. De waarschuwingstekens zijn aanwezig en wij zijn het verplicht aan onze kinderen. Ik geloof dat betere informatie een noodzaak is om onszelf en onze kinderen te beschermen tegen deze potentiële gezondheidstijdbom, aldus Andrew Davies, de conservatieve minister van gezondheid van het schaduwkabinet in Wales : I believe greater public awareness and better information is needed to protect ourselves and our children from this potential health time bomb. Bron: wales online 23 aug. 2010 Why we must protect our children from mobile phones Auteur: Andrew RT Davies, Western Mail Shadow health minister Andrew RT Davies calls for better information about the potential health impact of using mobile phones MOBILE phones have become a regular feature in our lives and an essential communication tool. They offer obvious attractions for personal security and staying in touch with others. Indeed, for many, the latest mobile phone has become a fashion accessory and status symbol. But, as with many great technological advances, there are certain risks and I feel parents and young people should make their own informed choices about the use of mobile phones. There is a body of evidence that suggests mobile phone use has a damaging effect on our health, especially that of children. The problem is illnesses take years, even decades, to emerge, by which time it will be too late to do anything. The warning signs are present now and we owe it to our children to encourage responsible mobile phone use. Our children’s brains are still developing, making them more susceptible to the effects of radiation emitted from the devices. Until their nervous and immune systems have fully developed, we would be remiss if we did not encourage children to only use mobile phones in essential situations. Because children are exposed to microwave radiation from a younger age than adults, they will have a longer exposure over the course of their lives. With around half of all children between five to nine and 75% of seven to 15-year-olds owning a mobile phone, it is more important than ever for parents to set boundaries on their use. Although the chief medical officer strongly advises that children and teenagers under 16 should not use mobile phones except for essential, short calls, other countries have gone further. In France, legislation has been introduced to ban the advertising of mobile phones to children under 14. The French Senate has also banned the use of mobile phones in primary schools and colleges. The German government recommends the public reduces its exposure to high frequency radiation to minimise health risks and the Indian Ministry of Telecommunications states that children under 16 should be discouraged from using mobile phones. The Israeli Ministry of Health has recommended avoiding mobile phone communication in enclosed places, such as lifts and trains. While the precise effects of mobile phones on our long- term health are still unclear, the immediate social effects are all too apparent. Russia is one of a number of countries which has associated such effects as memory loss, a decline in attention, diminished learning abilities, increased irritability, sleep problems and increasing stress levels with mobile phone use. This supports a developing trend in our children’s overdependence on mobiles. A well-publicised case in Spain saw two children, 12 and 13, admitted to a clinic for an addiction to phones. Their parents had noticed their children were doing badly at school and were lying to get money to spend on their phones. This is undoubtedly an extreme case, but it highlights the need for parents to be aware of how their children are using mobile phones. Indeed, with many mobile phone games and ringtones being marketed to children as downloads, unsuspecting parents can be left with a hefty phone bill to foot. The Welsh Conservatives have consistently argued prevention is better than cure and, while I would not suggest that legislation is the only answer, I believe greater public awareness and better information is needed to protect ourselves and our children from this potential health time bomb. I would urge the Health Minister to ensure children in Wales and their parents get the best possible information. Voor het originele artikel zie: www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/health-and-beauty-in-wales/2010/08/23/we-must-protect-our-children-from-this-potential-health-time-bomb-91466-27115444/ .
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