Adolescent in-school cellphone habits: A census of rules, survey of their effectiveness, and fertility implications

We explored school cellphone rules and adolescent exposure to cellphone microwave emissions during school with a census and survey, respectively. The data were used to assess health and policy implications through a review of papers assessing reproductive bio-effects after exposure to cellphone emissions, this being most relevant to students’ exposure.All schools banned private use of cellphones in class. However, 43% of student participants admitted breaking this rule. A high-exposure group of risk-takers was identified for whom prohibited in-school use was positively associated with high texting rates, carrying the phone switched-on >10 h/day, and in-pocket use.The fertility literature is inconclusive, but increasingly points towards significant time- and dose-dependent deleterious effects from cellphone exposure on sperm. Genotoxic effects have been demonstrated from ‘non-thermal’ exposures, but not consistently.There is sufficient evidence and expert opinion to warrant an enforced school policy removing cellphones from students during the day.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► A majority of NZ adolescents carry a cellphone switched-on in a pocket >6 h/day.
► More than two in five regularly send texts from within a side pocket.
► A fifth carry one >10 h/day and use it in-pocket.
► Research suggests this may impair future fertility and/or reproductive integrity.