Study: Cell phone users have troublesome kids

Devin Coldewey

Devin Coldewey is a Seattle-based writer and photographer. He has written for the TechCrunch network since 2007. Some posts he’d like you to read: The Dangers of Externalizing Knowledge | Generation i | Surveillant Society | Choose Two | Frame Wars | The User’s Manifesto | Our Great Sin His personal website is coldewey.cc. → Learn More

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008


From the “Third Variable” department:
Researchers at my alma mater, UCLA, have conducted a study that shows a strong correllation between cell phone use by a parent (pre- and post-natal) and behavior problems in their kids. Their findings:

Children with both prenatal and postnatal cell phone exposure were 80 percent more likely to have abnormal or borderline scores on tests evaluating emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity, or problems with peers.

Note that this is a correllative study and indicates a direction to be looked into. It did not test, and does not address, the effect of radio frequency exposure on fetuses or what have you. It put cell phone use by parents and kids versus reported behavioral problems and found that they are somehow related. Make with it what you will!

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