Health Tech

8 Harmful Effects Of Mobile Phones On Children

Children all over the world use smartphones for their different needs. Some children talk to their friends for a long time while some play games or watch videos for a long time. Internet is a treasure trove of knowledge for children. Although we cannot debate the usefulness of smartphones, continuous use and exposure to screens can have harmful effects on the child.

Harmful Effects Of Smartphones Or Cellphones On Children

Mobile phones can be an easy way to distract children or keep them busy. However, it also has some disadvantages of its own. Some negative effects of regular use of mobile phones include:

1. Tumour

For a long time, research has been done to understand the effects of radiation emitted from cellphones on children. Since children are at a stage where their bodies are changing and growing, the effect of the rays on them may be different from that of adults.

Children who use the phone for long periods of time are more likely to have non-malignant tumours, especially in the ear and brain areas. The layer made for protection on children’s bones, tissues or many organs like brain etc. is very thin. Therefore, these organs absorb more than 60% of the radiation that comes out of mobile phones. Radiation can have different effects on the human body, sometimes directly affecting the nervous system. It is classified by the World Health Organization as “potentially carcinogen” and is considered a cause of potential risk of cancer.

2. Disturbance in brain activity

Mobile phones act primarily on electromagnetic waves in all forms of communication, even for internal communication. The brain has its own electric impulse and communication takes place in neural networks. In children, waves from the phone can easily enter the internal parts of the brain, as they do not have a strong shield.

Research has shown that by talking on the phone for only 2 minutes, the electric activity inside the child’s brain can be changed. This uncertain activity can cause changes in mood patterns and behavioural tendencies, and children may have trouble learning new things or concentrating properly.

3. Disturbances in educational efficiency

Many children also take phones with them to their schools. Chatting or playing games with friends even during school breaks or in class is increasing day by day. This causes children to find it difficult to concentrate in class, difficult to memorize important lessons, and as a result children are unable to be properly informed about studies and exams.

4. Academic abuse

Smartphones not only distract children from studies but can also be used in wrong ways to score well in exams. Using inbuilt calculators in exams where this is not allowed, storing photos or reference information to cheat on exams, or exchanging answers with other students on chat during exams, has been seen a lot in various schools. Is. This kind of behaviour not only affects education, but it also affects personality.

5. Inappropriate media

Like any other device, mobile phones can also be used for wrong purposes. Children see inappropriate messages, photos, or text shared by their friends or group and can forward it to others. They can find their own way of pornography at an early age, which can change their perceptions and thought processes. Even sending and accepting your own photos can, irresponsibly, create an environment that affects their lives for a long time.

6. Disturbance in sleep

Children may stay up late talking to friends, playing games, or browsing through social media, which causes fatigue and restlessness over time. Sleep also hinders studies, because children feel very sleepy while focusing on things taught in school. This has far-reaching effects that spread to further stages of their lives.

7. Medical problems

Children who remain glued to mobile phones in their free time neither do any physical activity nor are able to get fresh air. Due to this, they are at risk of obesity and other diseases, which can later develop into harmful diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

8. Mental health

Children on social media may come in contact with cyber bullies who harass and threaten them on the internet. Children who become victims of cyber bullying accept it much later in life, when mental damage has already occurred. Social media can also be a cause of depression and anxiety when children are not given the attention they expect.

Mobile Phone Safety Tips For Kids

It is very important to ensure proper security measures related to mobile phones for growing children.
Avoid giving cell phones to children under 16. Young children do not develop the necessary density and protective tissue in the skull bones of their brain, making them sensitive to the effects of radiation.
When your child talks on the phone, ask him to use a wired headset instead of holding the phone by the ear.
When traveling, avoid constantly giving your mobile phone to your child. The metal armour of the vehicle blocks the signal, so the phone increases its power, which is harmful for children.
Do not let your children use mobile phones in areas where the signal is weak. In such a situation, mobiles increase their own radiation to get good signals, which can be harmful for the child.
As an adult, it is important for parents and other people in the household to restrict mobile phone use when children are around. This is not only to avoid radiation, but also to create a behavioural pattern.
It is advisable to take extra care if there is a mobile phone tower nearby or even near or above the child’s school, as their exposure to radiation is higher than normal.
Completely restrict your child from taking the phone to school. Keep the contact number of the school and give them your number in case of emergency.
Keep your mobile phone safely with you and away from your children’s sight at night. Children can try to use them without informing.

Like every technology or device in the world, mobile phones also have benefits and side effects. In today’s time, smalrtphone is really a very powerful device and children get to learn a lot from it. But, maintaining a restraint with the use of things ensures the well-being of children and a good habit which will be useful to them throughout their life.

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