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Leeds nostalgia: '˜Radiation' fears over mobile phone spread among children

Mobile phones were all the rage among young people, so much so that they were constantly going off in the school classroom.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jan 2018, 06:59 GMT
File photo dated 09/11/2004 of a T-Mobile Phone. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue Date: Tuesday December 18, 2007. Two of Britain's biggest mobile phone operators today announced a deal to share their "third generation" mast network. T-Mobile and 3 said the move paved the way for complete coverage across Britain for 3G services by the end of next year. It is also expected to save an estimated £2 billion over 10 years, the pair added, and lead to a reduction of 5,000 mobile phone masts across the UK. See PA story CITY Mobile. Photo credit should read: PA WireFile photo dated 09/11/2004 of a T-Mobile Phone. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue Date: Tuesday December 18, 2007. Two of Britain's biggest mobile phone operators today announced a deal to share their "third generation" mast network. T-Mobile and 3 said the move paved the way for complete coverage across Britain for 3G services by the end of next year. It is also expected to save an estimated £2 billion over 10 years, the pair added, and lead to a reduction of 5,000 mobile phone masts across the UK. See PA story CITY Mobile. Photo credit should read: PA Wire
File photo dated 09/11/2004 of a T-Mobile Phone. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue Date: Tuesday December 18, 2007. Two of Britain's biggest mobile phone operators today announced a deal to share their "third generation" mast network. T-Mobile and 3 said the move paved the way for complete coverage across Britain for 3G services by the end of next year. It is also expected to save an estimated £2 billion over 10 years, the pair added, and lead to a reduction of 5,000 mobile phone masts across the UK. See PA story CITY Mobile. Photo credit should read: PA Wire

Thousands of pupils returned to school with a new mobile phone after companies deliberately targeted them by using “trendy colours”.

The story appeared in the YEP in January 2000 - for more nostalgia, click here.

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While some parents argued it gave them peace of mind because they were able to tell where there loved ones were and if they were okay, critics said the sound of phones was so loud it drowned out the noise of school bells in some cases. Leeds National Union of Teachers secretary Tim Hale said: “Mobile phones could present a really disruptive influence in schools. They have even more potential to create a disruption than other technology has done, such as digital watch alarms, which initially caused big problems.”

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However, that wasn’t the main cause for concern back then - that was reserved for the perceived health risks of mobile phones, especially on children.

Mr Hale added: “We are very concerned about the possible effects of radiation on children who frequently use a mobile. There has not been enough research done at the moment and as the father of two children, I would not let them have a mobile when the risks are unknown.