In many ways, the iPhone is the perfect e-book platform for children's books. It offers the color display necessary for illustrations. It's the perfect size for tiny hands. The small screen size isn't an issue for books with simple images and limited text. And unlike their print counterparts, iPhone e-books often include narration and animation -- features that add significant value for children who are still building reading skills.
With more and more publishers adapting classic and new children's titles for the iPhone, Droid, and other smart phones, parents can carry a library of wholesome, educational entertainment in their pockets, ready to provide guilt-free quiet time whenever they need it.
Just one problem. All cell phones emit radiation. Long-term exposure to cell phone radiation may carry a risk of cancer and other health problems. Most troubling, children's brains absorb twice as much radiation as adult's, thanks to their softer, thinner skulls and the higher water and ion content of their developing brains.
Recent studies have found increased risk of brain and salivary gland tumors among heavy cell-phone users. Because the effects of radiation exposure build up over time, no one knows what the long-term effects will be.
In the meantime, health agencies in Switzerland, Germany, Israel, France, the United Kingdom, and Finland, as well as the European Parliament, have issued warnings that recommend limiting cell phone use, particularly by children.
In the U.S., consumer advocacy group Environmental Working Group has published the radiation levels for over 1,000 different cell phone and PDA models. Their report advises consumers to purchase low-radiation phones, use headsets, and keep cell phones away from children.
I applaud any effort to promote literacy. Though not a parent, I completely understand the appeal of anything that keeps kids quiet and happy for a few extra minutes. I think these book apps are a great idea -- in theory. But after looking at the report and the radiation levels of most smartphones, I think I'll keep buying my nieces and nephews old-fashioned printed books.
To look up the radiation levels for your phone or PDA, go to
http://www.ewg.org/cellphoneradiation/Get-a-Safer-Phone?allavailable=1
or http://reviews.cnet.com/2719-6602_7-291-2.html?tag=rb_content;contentNav
Disclosure: A friend of mine works at EWG, which is why I have their magnets all over my fridge and am paranoid about certain cleaning supplies. I suppose you could consider the refrigerator magnets "compensation" for this blog post, except that I've had them for the past year and wasn't blogging yet when they gave them to me, and I'm pretty sure they don't have any monetary value. Look for future posts on reciprocity in social media marketing and the importance of disclosure to social media credibility.
With more and more publishers adapting classic and new children's titles for the iPhone, Droid, and other smart phones, parents can carry a library of wholesome, educational entertainment in their pockets, ready to provide guilt-free quiet time whenever they need it.
Just one problem. All cell phones emit radiation. Long-term exposure to cell phone radiation may carry a risk of cancer and other health problems. Most troubling, children's brains absorb twice as much radiation as adult's, thanks to their softer, thinner skulls and the higher water and ion content of their developing brains.
Recent studies have found increased risk of brain and salivary gland tumors among heavy cell-phone users. Because the effects of radiation exposure build up over time, no one knows what the long-term effects will be.
In the meantime, health agencies in Switzerland, Germany, Israel, France, the United Kingdom, and Finland, as well as the European Parliament, have issued warnings that recommend limiting cell phone use, particularly by children.
In the U.S., consumer advocacy group Environmental Working Group has published the radiation levels for over 1,000 different cell phone and PDA models. Their report advises consumers to purchase low-radiation phones, use headsets, and keep cell phones away from children.
I applaud any effort to promote literacy. Though not a parent, I completely understand the appeal of anything that keeps kids quiet and happy for a few extra minutes. I think these book apps are a great idea -- in theory. But after looking at the report and the radiation levels of most smartphones, I think I'll keep buying my nieces and nephews old-fashioned printed books.
To look up the radiation levels for your phone or PDA, go to
http://www.ewg.org/cellphoneradiation/Get-a-Safer-Phone?allavailable=1
or http://reviews.cnet.com/2719-6602_7-291-2.html?tag=rb_content;contentNav
Disclosure: A friend of mine works at EWG, which is why I have their magnets all over my fridge and am paranoid about certain cleaning supplies. I suppose you could consider the refrigerator magnets "compensation" for this blog post, except that I've had them for the past year and wasn't blogging yet when they gave them to me, and I'm pretty sure they don't have any monetary value. Look for future posts on reciprocity in social media marketing and the importance of disclosure to social media credibility.
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Hi Claire – You bring up a good point about the evolving use of cell phones. As this technology becomes a larger part of our lives, we need to reevaluate the assumptions that went into the decades-old analysis of health risks tied to cell phone use. Current FCC standards provide little margin of safety, and do not consider the special vulnerability of children.
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly not giving up my iPhone, but these days I am using it more safely, and I would never give it to a child to play with.
EWG tips on how to reduce exposure to radiation from your cell phone:
http://www.ewg.org/cellphoneradiation/8-Safety-Tips
Rebecca Sutton, Environmental Working Group