Indian Children Banned From Using Cell Phones

Here’s a strange twist of fate. Whereas countless teenagers in the United States and Canada are fully addicted to their cell phones, the Karnataka government in India is planning to ban the use of mobile phones for children up to the age of 16.

This isn’t because cell phones will distract the kids — all mobile handsets have been banned in Karnataka schools and colleges for nearly two years — but rather it is because of health concerns. The health minister is saying that the use of mobile phones by young people would “lead to cancer, brain disorders and adverse impact on nervous system.” Older people? Blah, we can live with our cancer, right?

It would be incredibly difficult to outright ban the use of cell phones by minors, so phone dealers will be told to simply not sell any handsets to folks younger than 16 years old.