Mobile Phones Pose Teen Health Problems
Posted on June 11, 2008 in Current Affairs by Danteshwari
Mobile phones can cause teenagers to have sleep and stress problems. This was highlighted in a study conducted in Sweden involving 21 youngsters between the ages of 14 and 20. It was observed that teenagers who used the cell phone frequently were prone to restlessness, disturbed sleep, fatigue and stress.
The findings were presented at the 22nd annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS), Sleep 2008. Such young people also led careless lifestyles, experienced disrupted sleep or insomnia, and took stimulating drinks and were prone to fatigue and stress.
Gaby Badre , Sahlgren’s Academy, Gothenburg, who is the author of the study report is of the view that there was an association between health compromising behaviour, such as consumption of alcohol, smoking and snuffing and excessive use of cell phone. She felt that more awareness needs to be generated among the youth about the negative effects of excessive use of mobile phones on their sleep-waking patterns. It also posed major health risks such as cognitive and attention problems.
Studies also link up the emotional and behavioural problems to the use of mobile phones by women who are pregnant. In a study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Aarhus, Denmark, 13,000 children were researched upon. It was observed that the use of mobile phones during pregnancy resulted in hyperactivity, relationships and emotional problems among children.
Source TOI June 11, 2008
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