Children and Cell Phones: Is Phone Radiation Risky for Kids?

In today's digital age, children are spending more time on electronic devices like cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches than ever before. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the average daily hours by age group:

• 8-10 years old: Six hours
• 11-14 years old: Nine hours
• 15-18 years old: Seven and 1/2 hours

And these figures don’t even include the time kids spend on screens for their school work.

However, while concerns about screen addiction are often discussed, the potential health risks from prolonged exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation are frequently overlooked.

The Science Behind Radiation Risks

Emerging research is beginning to shed light on the potential dangers of RF radiation from wireless devices. The National Toxicology Program has found evidence linking cellphone radiation to an increased risk of brain and heart cancer. In studies involving laboratory animals, those exposed to RF radiation at levels comparable to cellphone emissions showed a higher likelihood of developing malignant glioma (a type of brain cancer) and heart tumors compared to unexposed animals. Although these findings are based on animal studies, they raise important questions about the risks posed to humans, particularly as new technologies like 5G become more prevalent.

The World Health Organization classified cellphone radiation as a possible carcinogen in 2011, and by 2017, the state of California issued guidelines advising people to keep phones away from their bodies to minimize exposure.

What Does The Latest Research Say? 

A 2014 review of studies on children's cellphone use concluded that younger children are at a greater risk of developing brain cancer and tumors, with additional studies linking cellphone use to increased risks of breast cancer, salivary gland tumors, and sperm damage in both adolescents and adults.

Furthermore, research published in 2018 revealed that a child’s brain absorbs 2-3 times more radiation than an adult’s, especially when holding the phone close to the ear or eyes. Similarly, an earlier study reported that this higher absorption rate is due to children's proportionally smaller heads and thinner skulls, which allow more radiation to penetrate deeper brain regions.

The American Academy of Pediatrics supports these findings, noting that when children use mobile phones, the average deposition of RF energy is twice as high in the brain and ten times higher in the bone marrow of the skull compared to adults.

Another study suggests that individuals who begin using cell phones (and cordless landline phones) before the age of 20 are at a significantly higher risk of developing brain tumors compared to those who start using these devices later in life. This elevated risk is due to the closer proximity of the radiation source to children's brains, which have thinner tissues and bones, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of radiation.

Long-Term Behavioral Impacts and Global Responses

The impact of cellphone radiation isn't limited to physical health. The impact of cellphone radiation isn't limited to physical health. Behavioral studies suggest a link between prenatal cellphone exposure and an increased risk of behavioral problems in children, including hyperactivity and emotional difficulties. Children whose mothers frequently used cell phones during pregnancy were 80% more likely to have behavioral issues compared to those whose mothers used phones less frequently.

 Additionally, children who used phones more frequently were found to be at a higher risk of developing ADHD, even after accounting for other factors like blood lead levels. These findings, although based on research from Korea, highlight the need for further studies in other regions to better understand the global implications.

Despite these concerns, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. continues to rely on radiation standards set in 1996, despite calls from organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics to re-evaluate these standards, especially for children. In contrast, countries like Belgium, Australia, and France have issued warnings about the potential dangers of children's cellphone use.

But, as of 2019, the FCC still says that there is no evidence between wireless device use and health problems and continues to uphold the regulations from 1996.

In contrast, countries like Belgium, Australia, and France have issued warnings about the potential dangers of children's cellphone use.

In 2021, the Environmental Working Group recommended that the FCC lower the acceptable Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for children to 0.2-0.4 milliwatts per kilogram, significantly below the current federal limit. Following this, in 2022, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine urged the U.S. government to fund extensive research into how low-dose radiation impacts cancer risk and other health outcomes.

How To Protect Kids From Radiation Exposure

While research continues to explore the risks of cellphone radiation, parents can take proactive steps to protect their children:

• Use Speakerphone: Encourage kids to use the speakerphone function during calls to reduce radiation exposure to their heads.
• Carry Your Phone Away from Your Body: When not in use, keep your phone in a bag or desk instead of in your pocket or close to your body. This simple practice reduces direct exposure to RF-EMFs.
• Use EMF Protection: Consider using devices designed to reduce ELF-EMFs, such as Bodywell®, in high-exposure environments. The key benefits of using Bodywell® include:

1. Thermal Reduction: Bodywell® products can reduce thermal absorption by up to 20%, helping to minimize heat-related effects from EMF exposure.
2. Reduction in SAR: Bodywell® products have demonstrated an 80% reduction in SAR, significantly lowering the amount of radiation absorbed by the body.
3. pH Recovery: Prolonged EMF exposure can disrupt the body's pH balance. Bodywell® products help recover pH levels by 100%, maintaining the body's natural equilibrium.