Half a Million Children Own Cell Phones in the UK

New research released by the research group, mobileYouth has highlighted the growing number of young children with mobile phones in Britain . The study conducted across the 5-24 year old market highlights that there are now 400,000 children in the UK under the age of 10 owning a mobile phone, as against only 80,000 in 2000. The figure will pass the half a million mark by the end of next year.

The report has been met with concern by many, especially those who firmly believe that the use of mobile phones by such young children can be potentially damaging to health and is the possible cause of cancer and tumours in later life.

Josh Dhaliwal, the author of the report says "whilst mobileYouth in no way advocates the advertising, marketing and sale of mobile phones to children per se, there is a growing trend for parents to overlook any potential hazards with their own concerns for the security of their children and a mobile phone allows them to be remain within reach".

The events of 9/11 were a huge trigger in the rise of mobile phone ownership in the USA and in particular parents purchasing the phones for their children. Although no single event has had the same impact in the UK , stories in the media of child abductions bring to the fore concerns over safety.

The increase in mobile phone usage by young children is not limited to the UK . Further mobileYouth studies into other leading global mobile markets such as Japan and Scandinavia uncover similar patterns which are now being repeated in the UK .

Despite the mobile industry's commitment to not advertising or marketing mobile phones and services directly at the under 16 market, growth in this market continues unabated. "There is a lot of finger pointing in the direction of the mobile phone companies as to the root of this increase", adds Josh Dhaliwal. However the UK companies have remained strict in adhering to the guidelines set out by the government on targeting mobile phones at children, but "pester power" and peer group pressure all play a pivotal role in this market."

Posted to the site on 12th August 2003