Epidemiological characteristics of mobile phone ownership and use in korean children and adolescents.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: As public concern on possible harmful effects of mobile phone in children has been raised, information of epidemiological characteristics of mobile phone use in children and adolescents will be essential for public health policy. METHODS: Using three databases (n=21,693) collected from 2008 to 2011, we examined characteristics of mobile phone ownership and use, and socioeconomic positions (SEP) in Korean children and adolescents. RESULTS: The ownership rate and the amount of mobile phone use were higher in females than males, in higher school grades than lower grades, and at 2011 than 2008. The average age of first mobile phone ownership was shown to decrease from 12.5 years in currently high school students to 8.4 years in currently elementary school students at 2011. More than 90% of children in the 5th grade owned a mobile phone. More children owned a mobile phone in lower SEP communities than in higher SEP. Children with parents educated less than those with parents educated more were more likely to own and use mobile phone. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the epidemiological characteristics of mobile phone use, precautionary measures to prevent unnecessary exposure to mobile phones are needed in children and adolescents.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Across three databases collected from 2008 to 2011 (n=21,693), mobile phone ownership and amount of use were higher in females than males, higher school grades than lower grades, and in 2011 than 2008. The reported average age of first ownership decreased (e.g., 12.5 years in currently high school students vs 8.4 years in currently elementary school students at 2011). Ownership was reported to be higher in lower-SEP communities, and children with less-educated parents were more likely to own and use a mobile phone.

Outcomes measured

• Mobile phone ownership rate
• Amount of mobile phone use
• Age at first mobile phone ownership
• Associations with sex, school grade, year (2008 vs 2011), and socioeconomic position (community SEP; parental education)

Limitations

• No health outcomes were assessed; study describes ownership/use patterns rather than effects.
• Exposure metrics (e.g., frequency, SAR, call time definitions) are not described in the abstract.
• Study design details (sampling, representativeness, confounder control) are not provided in the abstract.

Suggested hubs

• children-and-adolescents (0.86)
  Study population is children and adolescents and focuses on mobile phone ownership/use patterns.

{
    "study_type": "cross_sectional",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "2008–2011 (databases collected); usage amount assessed (details not stated)"
    },
    "population": "Korean children and adolescents",
    "sample_size": 21693,
    "outcomes": [
        "Mobile phone ownership rate",
        "Amount of mobile phone use",
        "Age at first mobile phone ownership",
        "Associations with sex, school grade, year (2008 vs 2011), and socioeconomic position (community SEP; parental education)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Across three databases collected from 2008 to 2011 (n=21,693), mobile phone ownership and amount of use were higher in females than males, higher school grades than lower grades, and in 2011 than 2008. The reported average age of first ownership decreased (e.g., 12.5 years in currently high school students vs 8.4 years in currently elementary school students at 2011). Ownership was reported to be higher in lower-SEP communities, and children with less-educated parents were more likely to own and use a mobile phone.",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [
        "No health outcomes were assessed; study describes ownership/use patterns rather than effects.",
        "Exposure metrics (e.g., frequency, SAR, call time definitions) are not described in the abstract.",
        "Study design details (sampling, representativeness, confounder control) are not provided in the abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "mobile phone",
        "children",
        "adolescents",
        "ownership",
        "use",
        "socioeconomic position",
        "parental education",
        "Korea"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "children-and-adolescents",
            "weight": 0.85999999999999998667732370449812151491641998291015625,
            "reason": "Study population is children and adolescents and focuses on mobile phone ownership/use patterns."
        }
    ]
}

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