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I love the aspects of cell phones that allow you to always be able to find someone and to always give you access to emergency help. Is there something with these benefits that would be suitable for children who are too young for real cell phones? Some kind of glorified walkie-talkie or restricted cell phone? |
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There are many child specific services (such as Kajeet and FireFly Mobile), and most carriers have a child specific phone as well. Features to look for:
This article is a bit out of date, and some of those phones and carriers have closed, but it gives a good overview and a few more options. A Google search can be used to find others. 1
How about the radiation levels? Which ages are these devices recommended for?
(21 Nov '09, 16:07)
Emi
http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phone-radiation-levels/
(21 Nov '09, 23:05)
MrChrister
Every wireless communications device emits RF radiation. You have to weigh the benefits against the possible costs. As lgritz points out only a very few studies have shown any measurable change in human tissue exposed to RF radiation, and all changes were very local and temporary - once the RF was stopped or moved away, the tissue went right back to 'normal.' The only effect they could find was localized heating, less than a degree in a high RF field (stonger than a cell phone). I interpret that as safe for normal use.
(22 Nov '09, 05:05)
Adam Davis
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However, I don't see the need for my children to have cell phones. Perhaps when they're teenagers, and more mobile and independent, but I see no reason for my 9 year old and younger children to have one. And I'm more of a "better safe than sorry" person. Unless there's a definite need, then why take even an unproven risk?
(22 Nov '09, 05:07)
Adam Davis
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Evidence for cell phones harming humans is far from conclusive, and they may eventually be proven harmless. But some studies are ambiguous enough, and troubling enough, that several countries are cautioning against (or outright banning) cell phones for children. Here are a few references:
It's not clear what to make of all this. I carry a cell phone. The convenience outweighs the risk for me, an adult whose brain and body are already developed, if not on the decline. :-) But I won't give one to my kid until he's MUCH older, it's just not worth the risk while his brain and body are developing, especially considering that there's not much reason for him to have it (my generation turned out just fine without having cell phones to call people or have our parents track our position at all times). 3
This seems to answer "Are cell phones dangerous?" and "Will you give a cell phone to your child?" Although these are both extremely important topics and do merit discussion, I don't think it at all answers the original question.
(22 Nov '09, 20:40)
Dinah
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