There is absolutely nothing that is more ubiquitious with 21st Century Backpackers than a Cellphone. A traveler staying in hostels is more likely to have a cellphone than even a camera.
First conceived as a business aid, the first cellular phones were expensive, bulky and mostly vehicle mounted.
But the growth of technology is exponential as we all know. The size of a cellular phone has become smaller and smaller and the prices have fallen accordingly.
What had been designed as a useful business tool has found a much larger market as…well…a toy for children, teenagers and youths.
The scientific data is only now coming out. And the news isn’t good.
It has now been established that the spiraling growth in cellphone use will be accompanied by a surge of brain cancers in young people. That will not be the only ailment attributable to cell phone use but possibly the most common.
There are however, precautions one can take. Limiting use or, better yet, ceasing to use them is the most desirable option. Yet, that is unlikely to happen.
Cellphone providers have latched on to a lucrative market and they are not about to let go of the impressionable, money making children and youth consumer bases. Remember Tobacco Company pitches? “Try our lower tar cigarettes” which proved to be just as bad for your health!
Just watch the public relations/advertising departments efforts on sales campaigns: “Lower Emission” (read: radiation) phones will be the future rage.
If you are interested in taking reasonable precautions using your cellphone, here is a link to the latest news article:
