Modern telecommunication technologies rely on using radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF). They have brought many useful services into our life able to solve multiple issues. However, we should bear in mind that this exposure is open, uncontrollable and permanent. Given that, it seems relevant to investigate possible negative influence exerted by RF EMF on health of children and adolescents since this population group is the most vulnerable and sensitive to any external exposure. This review analyzes Russian and foreign studies with their focus on chronic influence of RF EMF created by cellular communication means on health of children (aged 6–10 years) and adolescents (aged 11–16 years). We have established several manifestations of health disorders in children and adolescents including asthenic syndrome (headache, irritability, increased fatigue, sleeping disorders, periodical pains in the heart and joints); mental deadaptation (anxiety, stress, depression, etc.); as well as their combinations. Along with all the aforementioned syndromes, effects produced by exposure to RF EMF become apparent through some indirect signs of memory and attention failure such as forgetfulness (inability to recall the necessary information in time) and inattention (inability to concentrate on an event or activity) and even through growing frequency of respiratory diseases. Basing on the analyzed studies by Russian and foreign researchers, we can conclude that they provide solid evidence of negative influence of electromagnetic fields created by cell phones on health of children and adolescents. Therefore, implementation of modern gadgets and their active use by children and adolescents should be accompanied with assessment of actual threats posed by them, health risk assessment, and development of scientifically substantiated standards for their safe use.

For the first time, we compared the gradients of changes in the simple auditory-motor response (SAMR) and the daily time of using a mobile phone (MP), which made it possible to describe the variants of possible changes in lateralization of effects and the frequency of their occurrence for different variants of SAMR changes. This study has no analogues neither in Russian nor in foreign publications and is currently exclusive. Objective – to determine the patterns of manifestation of contra- and ipsilateral effects, using individual changes in indicators of a simple auditory-motor response obtained as a result of longitudinal observations. The analysis of changes in the parameters of a simple auditory-motor reaction was carried out during mono-presentation of a sound signal on the left and on the right in 145 children and adolescents aged 7-14 years (470 measurements), who were under observation for 2 or more years, depending on changes in the mode of use mobile phone. Further, 48 cases were excluded (change in the lateralization of use, for example, the respondent brought the phone to both the right and the left ear, “changed” the leading ear, etc.). Three variants of changes in the mode of using MP in the longitude period (gradient of time change) were established: an increase in time (the group "less–more"), a decrease in time (group "more–less") and no changes. For each group, 4 variants of changes in the parameters of SAMR were revealed in the dynamics of observations along the longitude: decrease in SAMR indicators on the left (left ear) and increase in the right (right ear); decrease in indicators on the left and increase on the right and synchronous decrease or increase in indicators on the right and left. An assessment of the strength of the correlation was carried out (a linear Pearson correlation coefficient was used and an assessment of the statistical significance was carried out): between changes in the gradient of changes in the time of MP usage and SAMR, as well as changes in the lateralization of effects (changes in the frequency of occurrence of ipsi- and contralateral effects). The multivariance of changes in SAMR indicators and lateralization of effects was revealed depending on the mode of MP use. The proposed approach to the analysis of changes in a simple auditory-motor reaction and daily time of using a mobile phone makes it possible to suggest some mechanisms of changes in the parameters of the auditory analyzer in response to the duration of exposure to electromagnetic radiation from a mobile phone. The presence of contralateral effects of changes in SAMR parameters can serve as an assessment of the “capture” of the brain structures of children and adolescents by MP electromagnetic radiation. The results obtained once again prove the level of negative impact on the auditory system of children and adolescents. The current situation requires an immediate solution by clear regulation of the use of cellular communications by the younger generation.

Modern telecommunication technologies rely on using radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF EMF). They have brought many useful services into our life able to solve multiple issues. However, we should bear in mind that this exposure is open, uncontrollable and permanent. Given that, it seems relevant to investigate possible negative influence exerted by RF EMF on health of children and adolescents since this population group is the most vulnerable and sensitive to any external exposure. This review analyzes Russian and foreign studies with their focus on chronic influence of RF EMF created by cellular communication means on health of children (aged 6–10 years) and adolescents (aged 11–16 years). We have established several manifestations of health disorders in children and adolescents including asthenic syndrome (headache, irritability, increased fatigue, sleeping disorders, periodical pains in the heart and joints); mental deadaptation (anxiety, stress, depression, etc.); as well as their combinations. Along with all the aforementioned syndromes, effects produced by exposure to RF EMF become apparent through some indirect signs of memory and attention failure such as forgetfulness (inability to recall the necessary information in time) and inattention (inability to concentrate on an event or activity) and even through growing frequency of respiratory diseases. Basing on the analyzed studies by Russian and foreign researchers, we can conclude that they provide solid evidence of negative influence of electromagnetic fields created by cell phones on health of children and adolescents. Therefore, implementation of modern gadgets and their active use by children and adolescents should be accompanied with assessment of actual threats posed by them, health risk assessment, and development of scientifically substantiated standards for their safe use.