Imperial College London is conducting a study to research whether mobile phones and wireless technologies affect children's mental development, focusing on thinking skills, memory, and attention in 11-12 year olds. They will track 2,500 children over multiple years and receive government and industry funding. While previous studies looked only at adults and brain cancer risk found no evidence of harm, researchers believe children's developing brains may be more susceptible to effects. An initial Imperial College study found 70% of 11-12 year olds own mobile phones as they start secondary school. The lead investigator says parental advice is based on precaution rather than evidence of harmful effects.
Imperial College London is conducting a study to research whether mobile phones and wireless technologies affect children's mental development, focusing on thinking skills, memory, and attention in 11-12 year olds. They will track 2,500 children over multiple years and receive government and industry funding. While previous studies looked only at adults and brain cancer risk found no evidence of harm, researchers believe children's developing brains may be more susceptible to effects. An initial Imperial College study found 70% of 11-12 year olds own mobile phones as they start secondary school. The lead investigator says parental advice is based on precaution rather than evidence of harmful effects.
Imperial College London is conducting a study to research whether mobile phones and wireless technologies affect children's mental development, focusing on thinking skills, memory, and attention in 11-12 year olds. They will track 2,500 children over multiple years and receive government and industry funding. While previous studies looked only at adults and brain cancer risk found no evidence of harm, researchers believe children's developing brains may be more susceptible to effects. An initial Imperial College study found 70% of 11-12 year olds own mobile phones as they start secondary school. The lead investigator says parental advice is based on precaution rather than evidence of harmful effects.
Pnotporn Jantarakolica, Staff Reporter January 10, 2018
NAKHON PATHOM – A research on whether mobile phones and other wireless technologies affect children’s mental development is currently being conducted by Imperial College London.
The research focuses on their cognitive ability - thinking skills, memory, attention - and would be repeated again on 2020. By receiving funds from the government and industry, they will begin tracking 2,500 11 and 12 years old in September from more than 160 secondary pupils that would be invited to enroll into the study.
The World Health Organization has said research is the “highest priority.” Researchers had claimed that previous researches on mobile phones were conducted on only adults and how it may contribute to the risk of brain cancer. Still, no evidence has been found. Despite this, the government recommends that in order for individuals to use a cell phone, they should be above 16 years old.
A theory was made that children’s brains may be more susceptible because they are still developing. From this, Imperial College London has conducted a research asking children and parents about their use of mobile phones and wireless devices. The result that they had concluded was that 70% of children at the age of 11-12 would likely own mobile phones because they start secondary school. Therefore, Dr. Mireille Toledano (lead investigator) has stated that “The advice to parents is based on the defensive attitude, not because we have evidence of any harmful effects.”