In a report, ANSES concludes that exposure to mobile radio frequencies has a possible effect on children’s memory and attention.
To calm children’s temper tantrums, or to occupy them, for example, during long car journeys, many parents have found a way out. A smartphone or a tablet in the hands and the case is settled. However, these products are suspected of having harmful effects on the health of young people.
To dispel or confirm these doubts, ANSES (1) was asked by the public authorities to find out whether the regulations in force for these devices are sufficiently protective in terms of health and safety for children under the age of 18. six years. After years of work, the‘Agency publishes a report this Friday, then an opinion about this question.
Possible effects on cognitive functions
First conclusion, lExpertise work carried out by the Agency “Do not allow to conclude whether or not the effects of radiofrequencies in children on behavior, auditory functions, development, the male and female reproductive system, the immune system and systemic toxicity, or carcinogenic or teratogenic effects ”.
But it is after that things take a turn for the worse. Because the Agency concludes on the other hand “to a possible effect of exposure to radiofrequencies on the well-being of children and their cognitive functions (memory, executive functions, attention)”. “The effects observed on well-being could however be more related to the use of mobile phones rather than to the radio frequencies they emit”, however specify these experts.
Children exposed earlier and earlier
More worrying perhaps, these scientists report “a strong expansion of the use of new wireless technologies, especially among very young children”. They explain that it is the multiplicity and diversity of places frequented by children that generate multiple exposure situations, even though the uses of radio devices (touch pads, connected toys, etc. etc) evolve rapidly. This is proof when they point out that “children also have their own mobile phones more and more early”, sometimes before the age of seven.
In addition, another threat is looming, that weighing on children who are now exposed, for the most part, to multiple sources of radiofrequencies from an early age and even potentially from the developmental phase. in utero. And on this point, the expert’s work is clear: they show that children could be more exposed than adults, because of their small size, their morphological and anatomical specificities and the characteristics of some of their tissues. “Particularly at the level of the brain areas closest to the cranium,” it says in the report.
Agency recommendations
Based on the results of the expert appraisal, the Agency recommends moderate and supervised use of wireless communication technologies by children. It also proposes to apply to all wave-emitting devices “the same regulatory obligations as for telephones, and in particular the measurement of the specific absorption rate (SAR), which corresponds to the amount of energy absorbed by the body. “. Baby monitors, radio controlled toys, connected … are obviously concerned.
(1) National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety
Reminder of mobile phone recommendations
With regard to mobile phones, ANSES reiterates its recommendation, already formulated in 2013. It calls for reducing children’s exposure, by recommending moderate, delayed use, and by favoring the use of a hands-free kit.
The expertise carried out this year has in fact made it possible to identify again several studies highlighting an association between intensive and inadequate use of the mobile phone by young people and affected mental health (risky behavior, depression, suicidal thoughts, etc. etc). “However, these studies do not make it possible to explore the causality of the associations observed”, specifies ANSES, however.
It therefore recommends that additional work assess the health and psychosocial impact (school learning, social and family relationships, etc) in children linked to the use of mobile communication technologies, “due in particular to addictive phenomena, circadian rhythm disorders, etc.”. But while awaiting these results, the Agency recommends that parents encourage their children to use their mobile phones reasonably, by avoiding night calls and limiting the frequency and duration of calls.
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