Childrens' use of mobile.
The Register reports on the effects of texting. "A recent ACE-COMM survey found 80 per cent of UK teenagers have no restrictions put on their mobile phone use. A survey of Australian children found 42 per cent of boys and 40 per cent of girls were tired enough that their concentration was impaired at school because of late-night texting."
A 2004 study was more positive in an analysis of Australian adolescents. "Contrary to popular perceptions, reports of mobile phone use provided by adolescents in this study do not suggest excessive use, with many adolescents reporting making relatively few calls and SMS messages. Moreover, according to adolescent and parent reports, most families are not in conflict over mobile phone use or mobile phone expenditure."
Disney's new mobile service is aimed at 8 - 14 years olds. "Part of Disney's offer is to give parents greater control over their spending on mobiles and to limit their mobile net access." (Reported in The Register.)
There are also handsets specifically aimed at young children.
The Guardian reported on the launch of a teddy-bear shaped mobile phone aimed at four year old children. "The manufacturer claims its handset is safer than others on the market because the emissions are up to 10 times lower...", however the campaign group Powerwatch said: "Children should not be exposed to radiation, however minimal it is. Microwaves affect children far more than adults."
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