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Are mobile phones a risk to health?


Controversies in Science

The use of mobile phones is a good example of a scientific controversy. Recent research studies have produced tentative evidence that mobile phones may have long-term health effects. However, this is by no means certain and the radiation produced by mobile phones falls well below current safety guidelines.

Would you give up your phone?

How many texts do you send a day? Many of us now rely on mobile phones for communicating and planning ahead. Parents are a lot happier about young people going off on their own if they know they can phone for help if needed. Would you really wish to give up your phone, even if you knew there was a possibility it might make you unwell?

Who's listening

Mobile phone companies in the EU are to be required to keep records of your calls for up to two years. Police regularly use these records to trace criminals' whereabouts. So you think they should be able to listen in too?


Next: How do mobile phones work?
or 
Who's Listening


What's your opinion?

Average rating

Current rating: 4/5 (from 5 votes cast)

Read comments

NOT RATED craigifer 10-03-09 21:37
I believe children are safe if they use either speaker phones, wired earpieces or bluetooth earpieces. I also Believe if you dont have cancer already your alright but if you have cancer try to prevent from using it to much.
NOT RATED The cool kids 19-06-09 11:18
- ive got a metal plate in my head, im more vulnerable to radioactivity than most kids. yet i still wear my bluetooth to bed.
Me =) 25-06-09 09:18
i think that's wrong. we should have the privacy of our own phone calls!
NOT RATED chavtastic 25-06-09 09:36
i is finkin dat mobile fones is well safe innit? is you gettin ma drift lyk..? i is gonna be textin ma girlfriend tellin 'er dat the baby's fallen down da stairs. but den again she is gonna be pickin up McKenzie..LYK!
NOT RATED hehehe 29-06-10 12:27
i hate mobile phones but i love i phones
NOT RATED Eloise and Brogan 05-10-11 10:36
Me and my friend believe that it doesn't have enough info about the health problems it could cause. many thanks.
NOT RATED 04-10-16 14:25
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NOT RATED 04-10-16 14:40
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NOT RATED 04-10-16 14:46
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 LESSON IDEA

Teacher icon  For and against mobiles

 DISCUSSION STARTER

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Mobile phones & you

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Do you consider mobile phones to be safe?
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ETHICAL ISSUES INVOLVED
Text equivalent:

Limits to science

We have not yet collected enough data to be very certain that mobile phones do not affect young people's health. Whilst the extent of damage through radiation or localised heating is likely to be minimal it is clear that using mobile phones whilst driving is proving very dangerous indeed.
FOR MORE INFORMATION

BBC News video clip
BBC Hot Topic:mobile phone safety