No kids, pregnant women in cellphone ads: Govt

CELLPHONE SCARE: Various studies on the harmful effect of radiation from cellphones have left parents worried.

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Keywords: Women, Kids

New Delhi: The Telecom Ministry has drafted guidelines to ensure there are no advertisements featuring children or pregnant women using cellphones.

Many studies on the health implications of using cellphones have often frightened the users, however, this time the mobile scare is for the manufacturers and service providers who have asked the government to avoid using children and pregnant women in their ads.

However, the question that many people ask is if the gadget is as scary as it is made out to be.

“I feel safe when my kid is available on the phone,” says a parent defending the use of cellphones.

Security of kids is a concern for all parents. However various studies on the harmful effect of radiation from cellphones have left some parents worried.

The government is also stepping in. After going thorough various international studies, the Ministry of Telecom has drafted guidelines asking manufacturers and service providers to avoid advertisements showing children and pregnant women using cell phones.

However, what could be the possible health risks involved by the use of this gadget?

The draft guidelines say electromagnetic waves emitted from mobile phones can seriously damage the tissues of the users' brain. It can cause headaches and short-term memory loss.

However, they also agree that there is still no data available worldwide on effects on long-term usage. Nonetheless amidst all this confusion, the least users can do is take certain precautions.

Are far as possible, one could use a landline to a mobile or a cordless. If cellphones are used, they can be put on the speaker-mode.

One could also minimise the use of bluetooth devices and avoid placing the phone in the trowser and breast pocket.

India has over 250-million cellphone users and the numbers seem to be growing everyday. With studies showing harmful impact of cellphones, the government could also take UK's example and recommend limited usage of moblies for children under sixteen-years.