Every few months we’ll hear another scientist release a paper on how mobile phones are giving us cancer/memory loss/making men sterile and mobile phones will see a slump in sales if the worriers get their way. Mobile phones are interwoven with our cultural fabric these days though and do not appear to be going away any time soon. If you’re in town or on the train you probably see someone talking into a mobile phone or playing a game quietly, if you’re really unlucky you’ll be forced to endure someone’s obnoxious ringtone too.
Mobile phone use may be popular over here but that’s nothing compared to the home of all the bleeding edge technology: Japan. In the far east mobile phone use is enormous, so much so that it’s becoming a cause for concern.
The government has approved a motion to campaign that parents limit their children’s use of web-enabled mobile phones. Aside from the obvious lack of social interaction parents are concerned that children as young as six are spending more time emailing and text messaging than their studies. It is estimated that one in three sixth graders have mobile phones and 60% of ninth graders have phones too.
It seems to the government that the mobile phone has taken on a new identity of an elaborate toy, as a way to combat this addition in young children the same group are pushing for mobile phones to be made for children specifically which only allow talking and GPS. The GPS being used for locating lost children and for anyone who has seen a busy work day in Tokyo you’ll know how vital this feature is for children.
What seems to be fuelling this addiction is the unwritten rule of the schoolyard, “The 30 minute rule” where children that do not respond to an email within 30 minutes of receiving are ridiculed for their lateness.
Despite lower crime rates than her in the west the concern over child safety is paramount to many parents and this is why they are willing to shell out 4,000 Yen (~£18) per month so that they can remain in constant contact with their children on their long commutes to school via trains and buses. Equally the internet on these phones has been campaigned against as there isn’t sufficient protection for children against inappropriate websites.
Obviously over in Japan technology is more of a commodity than over here at the moment but even in this country children have mobile phones and the effects of a child having a mobile phone from such an early age can cause concern for some parents but the ability to know exactly where your child is may be the swinging factor for some parents.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Cell phones list
By: unique | 08-09-2008
I am ready to upgrade my cell phone.Where will I get all the cell phones list and their features?
Nerve fibers, micro nanotube capacitors and You
By: pup | 06-09-2008
the story statlworld.comtes "These diseases destroy the light receptors in the retina, but not the nerve fibers that connect the eye to the brain"
so how many nerve fibes exist in your average human ?
and why in this day and age of megapixel cams and nanotube scale http://www.physorg.com/news133623217.html
tiny capacitors cant they get way way above this 60 electrodes and interface these ? in this or any special purpose custom chip.
one final question ,is it known if these nerve fibers are a two way conduit to the normal eye and if so what does this feedback loop do to a normal eye,
and can it be reproduced in any curent tech today not directly connected to this eye research as yet?
I think it's a fantastic idea and I would like to ...
By: krisu | 05-09-2008
I think it's a fantastic idea and I would like to get in touch with Anna Hilsmann to have more details about it. Do you know how it would be possible to contact her. Thanks, Christian
Why would having a DVR improve your relationship?
By: Daniel | 04-09-2008
This article reports that 79% of DVR owners state that the technology has improved their relationship:
http://www.dailyme.com/story/2008090300016835/
Do you think this is because people spend more time watching TV (and less time talking/arguing), or some other reason?
A test process tracking system for our quality ...
By: nelson | 04-09-2008
A test process tracking system for our quality assurance department
Our QA department is on a look out for a system or a tool which lets our QA head monitor the overall test process and also monitor individual team members progress. Any suggestions please?
Www.home-phone.com have you got panasonic phone ...
By: wasfy yanny | 04-09-2008
www.home-phone.com
have you got panasonic phone battery kX-TCA10CE,HHR-P101E,3.6V 550mAh
IT IS 3 BATTERIES TOGETHER FOR PANASONIC PHONE KX-TCD970E-B
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Cell Phones Articles
Mobile Phones and Cell Phones - Are They a Blessing or a Curse?
By: Faraz Ahmed | 10/10/2008
Technology plays a significant role in our daily lives. Technology is a gift to ourselves so that we can live our lives more comfortably but many people tend to abuse this gift for their own pleasure or personal gain. Cell Phone is one such device that has made our life so easy that we cannot even think of a world without it. But these services can also be abused by people.
Htc Touch P3452 Smartphone London Limited Edition (unlocked)
By: stevefranklis | 10/10/2008
HTC P3452 Touch Smartphone silver (unlocked) phone is its Touch cube. This unique functionality allows the user to enjoy an interface that makes navigation and quick dialing a happy and user-friendly experience.
Nokia 6120 Classic Pink Unlocked
By: stevefranklis | 10/10/2008
Nokia 6120 Classic Pink include lots of intriguing features like HSDPA 850 / 2100 , 2 MP camera, Video calling, Office applications, FM stereo radio and so on. nap your memorable moments with 2 Mega pixel camera.
Sale Price : $249.99
The Incoming Storm - the Blackberry Storm 9500 is Set to Wow Us All
By: Matt Sharp | 10/10/2008
Confirmed this week is a mobile phone that a LOT of people have wanted to find out about. Featuring a touchscreen, it's set to take Blackberry mobile phones to whole new heights of excellence. And it's called the Blackberry Storm 9500...
Tales From the Land of Blackberry About the Famous Technological Joust
By: Day Kevi | 10/10/2008
There have been wonderful contests in this world, and most of these have led to outcomes which have changed the thought processes in many aspects. In the mobile phone world if such a comparison is made with the thought of BlackBerry 8820 Black vs BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220, then the outcomes that are created, create an aura of brilliance and magnificence.
Nokia N78- a Stunning Gadget Which Could Suit to Your Personality
By: Shruti Singh | 10/10/2008
Nokia N78 is one of the remarkable handsets in the Nokia family which comes with advanced technology. The device is popular for its long back up which helps the user to work on it for long periods, on a single charge.
Compare Pay as You Go Mobile Deals- Ways to Get the Best
By: Sarah Ash | 10/10/2008
Compare pay as you go mobile deals so that you can get the best deal that suits your budget. Online shops are considered to be the best place, where you can carry out comparison of the deals with ease.
100% Free Reverse Cell Phone Lookup - Do They Exist?
By: Gary Mathers | 10/10/2008
We are constantly bombarded with offers of free services, free prizes, free this and free that but if you clicked on every banner add promising free cash or downloads you would find hardly any that lived up to their claims. 100% free reverse cell phone lookup services are also floating around the internet but in this article we have a look at their true motives and weather they really are free in the long run ... of if they are, do they actually work?
More from Andy Adams
Over 50s Getting More Adventurous With Their Holidays
By: Andy Adams | 09/10/2008 | Destinations
Whilst it’s certainly becoming tougher to take more holidays with travel companies folding under the pressure of rising fuel costs we are still able to carry on taking our yearly holidays. These holidays may be returning back to the typical two weeks off in the summer months and moving away from the odd week here and there wherever the budget flights company has ferried us to but we’re luckily able to go on holiday when we please for now.
Luxor – the World’s Largest Open Air Museum
By: Andy Adams | 09/10/2008 | Destinations
When people think of somewhere hot to go on their holidays typically you’ll hear Turkey, Spain and Greece as their destination of choice but one place that is perennially hot is Egypt. Egypt is right at the northern tip of Africa and has sweltering heat even in the shade so if it’s the cold winter you’re trying to escape from this winter then you could certainly get what you are after in Egypt.
Backpackers – Have Money, Will Travel
By: Andy Adams | 09/10/2008 | Destinations
The typical image of backpackers is someone who is scrimping on their expenses, opting only to pay for necessities like travel arrangements and food, pretty much anything else is subject to begging, borrowing or dealing. This may have been true in the past but a recent survey of the wandering masses has found that these days they are carrying a lot more money and willing to spend it to enhance their experiences around the world.
Prestige Car Hire Allows You to Own Your Dream Car…for a Few Days
By: Andy Adams | 08/10/2008 | Rentals
Many of us have a dream car, a car that we think “one day, I’ll own that”. Some people have not only one dream car but an entire list of varying sports cars that we’d love to drive down an open road. For those of us who win the lottery this fantasy may become a reality but for the majority of us we’ll be saving money well into our retirement before we can afford the super car of our dreams.
Holidays Remain Top Priority for Cash Strapped Families
By: Andy Adams | 08/10/2008 | Destinations
With the credit crunch in full effect (or whatever you want to kid yourself it is/isn’t) there’s no doubt that the amount of money we have to spend on extraneous activities has certainly decreased. With most of our earnings now struggling to meet the rising costs of living in this country it’s a wonder any of us can afford the usual yearly expense of a holiday.
Companies Opting to Hire not Buy Fleet Cars
By: Andy Adams | 08/10/2008 | Cars
The financial situation that many of us are now in the midst of has meant that we are less likely to be spending money on frivolous or excessive expenses any time soon. Many consumers are simply refusing to buy goods and services for the simple fact that if they were to then they would end up not being able to pay for food or other essential bills.
Switch Winter Blues for Blue Skies With Holidays to Koh Samui
By: Andy Adams | 08/10/2008 | Exotic Locations
The summer (if you can call what we’ve had for the past three months a summer) is now over and already only a few days into autumn we’re already feeling the effect of the colder winter months upon us. What would be perfect is to find somewhere to escape to whilst the country is shivering and getting some nice weather to wash away those winter blues.
Financial Buzzwords Become Common Phrase
By: Andy Adams | 08/10/2008 | Loans
Ninja loans, Funt, Jingle Mail and Stagflation. These are all terms derived from the financial world, phrases spoken amongst the moneymen and women about our finances and quite often they aren’t very favourable towards us.
Technology 
