Bad news for children below 16 years intending to buy mobile phones, with the Karnataka government banning sale of cellphones to kids below 16 years.
Concerned over adverse health impact on children who are hooked on to cellphones, the state government on Tuesday announced that it would direct traders not to sell mobile phones to children below 16 years. The government has also banned use of mobile phones in schools and colleges.
Though the health department has put a bar up to 16 years, the education department has gone a step ahead and has ordered ban for students and institutions up to second-year pre-university.
Surprisingly though, primary and secondary education minister Basavaraj S Horatti and health minister R Ashok told reporters that school managements and parents would be responsible for any lapses, they were unclear on how to go about on implementing restrictions on sale of mobile phones.
"The government is serious on banning the sale of cellphones. We will seek legal opinion to make this rule stringent," Horatti said. A circular to this effect is expected to be issued in a couple of days, which will be applicable for all state, central and private-run educational institutions across Karnataka, he added.
The health minister said parents should discourage use of mobile phones by their under-age children at home also, which would lead to cancer, brain disorders and adverse impact on nervous system.
But doctors like Kidwai Institute of Oncology director Dr Bapsy said there was no published research in any reputed journals that usage of cellphones led to any such health concerns.
Shankar B Madikeri, an ENT specialist, said some studies show radiation could cause problem for the brain development. "But there is no concrete evidence that it damages the ear," he said.
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