Link between Wi-Fi, cordless devices, mobile phone usage patterns, and behavioral problems among

Abstract

Link between Wi-Fi, cordless devices, mobile phone usage patterns, and behavioral problems among Japanese children: A prospective cohort study Ajmal A, Yamazaki K, Tamura N, Ait Bamai Y, Yoshikawa T, Hikage T, Ikeda A, Kishi R. Link between Wi-Fi, cordless devices, mobile phone usage patterns, and behavioral problems among Japanese children: A prospective cohort study. Environ Res. 2024 Aug 1:119715. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119715. Highlights • Persistence and change in behavioral problem over one year were assessed and grouped into normal, persistent, improved, and concurrent groups. • Above 75th percentile mobile phone calls duration via Internet was associated with concurrent total difficulties. • Cordless phone use at home was associated with improved total difficulties. • Longer cordless phone call durations were less likely to lead to persistent problematic prosocial behavior. • The observed findings may not be related to RF-EMF and could be affected by residual confounding and chance findings. Abstract Background: With the recent advent of technology, it is important to confirm the health and safety of the youth. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the relationship between Wi-Fi, cordless phones, and mobile phone usage patterns and behavioral problems. Methods: This study involved 2,465 children aged 8-17 years from the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health from October 2020 to January 2021, with a follow-up from September 2021 to March 2022. The mother-child dyad provided information on the presence of residential Wi-Fi and cordless phones, cordless phone call duration, and mobile phone usage pattern (duration of calls using mobile network and internet, online audio streaming, online video streaming, and playing online games) via a baseline questionnaire. Based on the scores on Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire at baseline and follow-up,the children were categorized into four groups: normal, persistent, improved, and concurrent. Results: No significant association was found between Wi-Fi, mobile phone calls via mobile networks, and behavioral problems. Cordless phone at home had higher odds for improvement in total difficulty scores, and cordless phone for calling more than 4 minutes per week had lower odds of persistent problematic prosocial behavior. Longer duration of mobile phone calling via the internet (>40 min/week) had higher odds of concurrent total difficulties. Mobile phone calling via mobile network for <5 minutes per week had higher odds for improved total difficulty scores. Audio streaming via mobile phones for 60-120 minutes had lower odds of persistent total difficulties. Conclusion: Our results showed sporadic findings between residential RF-EMF indoor sources and mobile phone usage pattern. These observed findings could be affected by residual confounding and chance findings. Ongoing follow-up studies are necessary to further explore this association through detailed exposure assessment and addressing the potential limitations of our study. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In this prospective cohort of 2,465 children, no significant association was found between residential Wi‑Fi or mobile phone calls via mobile networks and behavioral problems. Having a cordless phone at home was associated with higher odds of improvement in total difficulty scores, and calling on a cordless phone >4 minutes/week was associated with lower odds of persistent problematic prosocial behavior. Longer mobile phone calling via the internet (>40 min/week) was associated with higher odds of concurrent total difficulties; several other usage-pattern associations were reported as sporadic.

Outcomes measured

• Behavioral problems (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire): total difficulties
• Problematic prosocial behavior
• Persistence/change categories: normal, persistent, improved, concurrent

Limitations

• Exposure based on questionnaire (presence/duration/usage patterns) rather than detailed RF-EMF measurements
• Authors note findings may not be related to RF-EMF and could reflect residual confounding and chance findings
• Sporadic pattern of associations across multiple exposure metrics

Suggested hubs

• school-wi-fi (0.55)
  Assesses residential Wi‑Fi exposure in relation to child behavioral outcomes (Wi‑Fi-related health question).
• who-icnirp (0.25)
  Addresses RF-EMF exposure sources (Wi‑Fi/cordless/mobile) and health outcomes, relevant to guideline discussions.

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    "study_type": "cohort",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "wi-fi, cordless phones,_analysis of mobile phone usage patterns",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "baseline questionnaire; follow-up ~1 year later"
    },
    "population": "Japanese children aged 8–17 years (Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health)",
    "sample_size": 2465,
    "outcomes": [
        "Behavioral problems (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire): total difficulties",
        "Problematic prosocial behavior",
        "Persistence/change categories: normal, persistent, improved, concurrent"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In this prospective cohort of 2,465 children, no significant association was found between residential Wi‑Fi or mobile phone calls via mobile networks and behavioral problems. Having a cordless phone at home was associated with higher odds of improvement in total difficulty scores, and calling on a cordless phone >4 minutes/week was associated with lower odds of persistent problematic prosocial behavior. Longer mobile phone calling via the internet (>40 min/week) was associated with higher odds of concurrent total difficulties; several other usage-pattern associations were reported as sporadic.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Exposure based on questionnaire (presence/duration/usage patterns) rather than detailed RF-EMF measurements",
        "Authors note findings may not be related to RF-EMF and could reflect residual confounding and chance findings",
        "Sporadic pattern of associations across multiple exposure metrics"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "Wi-Fi",
        "cordless phones",
        "mobile phone usage patterns",
        "RF-EMF",
        "children",
        "adolescents",
        "behavioral problems",
        "Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire",
        "prospective cohort",
        "Japan"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "school-wi-fi",
            "weight": 0.5500000000000000444089209850062616169452667236328125,
            "reason": "Assesses residential Wi‑Fi exposure in relation to child behavioral outcomes (Wi‑Fi-related health question)."
        },
        {
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            "weight": 0.25,
            "reason": "Addresses RF-EMF exposure sources (Wi‑Fi/cordless/mobile) and health outcomes, relevant to guideline discussions."
        }
    ]
}

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