Habits
Minimizing The Dangers Of Cell Phones
By Nicole Lero
Apr 17, 2008

Depending on how slow the news cycle is, you will hear a lot of stories on the dangers of cell phones. It really depends on whether or not people are getting attacked by sharks or random pretty ladies have gone missing… the news sort of cycles, when you think about it. It’s hard to tell what is real and what is fake when it comes to these reports, as some of them provide completely contradictory information. However, this isn’t a case of the media intentionally misleading people – it’s truly a case of uncertain and conflicting results from surveys and studies. How does one know what to do when the scientific community can’t even say for certain what the dangers are?

The truth is simple: they don’t.

If you believe in the old saying “better safe than sorry,” [and about 76.8% of people do] you will want to take precautions to minimize any potential dangers of cell phone use. Until it is proven that they are not dangerous, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry.

Some studies have stated that cell phones can, or do, cause cancer. Others have said this is not true. One thing, though, is certain: cancer is bad and nobody wants it. Many of the studies cited linking cell phones to cancer weren’t controlled clinical studies, but rather based on observations that may or may not have been influenced by other factors. As such, we have no way to know if the studies are flawed or not. However, because we’re dealing with something that potentially causes cancer, it is wise to take precautions. Here are some things that you can do to minimize the risks:

- Use the phone sparingly. This is pretty obvious – the less you use the phone, the less likely you are to be exposed to radiation or other potential cancer-causing waves.
- Switch to text messaging. You won’t be holding the phone against your head, and it requires less power to send a message than it does to make a call.
- Use a hands-free device. By doing so, you’re able to keep the phone a bit away from your body, and in particular, your head/brain.

It is important to note that cancer is not the only danger of cell phone usage. Many states have laws regulating the usage of cell phones while driving. Studies have shown that as cell phones rose in popularity, so did traffic accidents. Why? Distracted drivers. People were taking their eyes off the road [and in some cases, the wheel!] to hold their phones or dial them. It was becoming a problem of epidemic proportions, which is why legislation was introduced to curtail cell phone usage in cars. Many states allow drivers to use hands-free technology to use their phones, though the jury is still out as to whether or not this actually minimizes the dangers. Some scientists have found that a person talking on a cell phone, even using a hands-free device, is still more distracted than, say, by talking to a passenger in the car. The reasons for this are not clear, though, and other studies show quite the opposite.

Cell phones can also distract drivers in other ways. Because custom ringtones are popular, the sounds and songs of incoming calls can startle people or pull them out of the necessary concentration for driving. And other add-ons, such as cameras and video cameras can cause people to want to take photos or videos of things they see when driving, meaning they could be fumbling with a camera phone rather than driving.

Common sense really is the most important thing to consider when it comes to using a cell phone and protecting yourself from any potential dangers. It is also your front line of defense. If something seems unsafe [such as sending a text message while driving] or you notice your phone is making you feel uncomfortable after prolonged use… stop doing it and find an alternate solution. Because there is no solid evidence, it is important to use common sense and choose alternative means.