Dial R for radiation

The UK government has asked school authorities to restrict the use of mobile phones for children below 16 years of age. The move comes after a government-commissioned study concluded that children face potential health risks when they use mobile phones. William Stewart, the former government chief scientist who chaired the report, said that children, whose developing brains are more vulnerable than adults to radiation, should be discouraged from using them. The younger the children, the less should they be allowed to use a mobile phone, he said.

The education ministry has drawn a point-of-sale leaflet that will be issued by retailers next month. Officials of the ministry are also in consultation with phone companies in the hope that they will include the leaflet along with bills to reach all existing mobile phone users.