Mobiles not totally safe for kids: govt

Parents should continue to encourage their children not to talk on mobile phones too
much, despite an international study's failure to link usage to cancer.
The federal government has not changed its advice on the back of Monday's release of
the $26.8 million Interphone study, one of the most extensive of its kind.
The decade-long study, conducted in 13 countries, found no conclusive link between
mobile phone use and brain cancer, although it conceded more research was needed.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health Mark Butler noted the results of the study and
said the government's official advice on mobile phone use would remain unchanged.
Australia's independent radiation authority ARPANSA recommends parents limit their
children's use of mobile phones by reducing call times, using hands-free devices and
texting.
But adults don't have to worry about limiting their use, with no scientific backing
to suggest they're at risk.
The study did find a small portion of brain tumour sufferers were more likely to
have the tumour on the side of the head they hold their mobile phone.
But both the study's authors and Mr Butler said biases and errors within the study
itself could be to blame for that finding.
The Cancer Council has also maintained its advice, telling anyone concerned about
possible side effects to reduce their mobile phone use or stick to hands-free
technology.