Haha, considering the time u wrote this...Im not surprised you were drifting!!!

If they aren't turned on what possible health risks are there? My boys both have an old nokia that has no battery...

Hiya Kellz

What are the health risks?? My daughter has an old phone of mine but now u have me worried...tell me!

Joxx

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond.

The reason why I wont allow my little ones to play with old mobile phones is because they all contain s small amount of radioactive material ) a bit like our microwaves. . .  This material is located in the ear pieces - that is why there has been so much talk about whether the phones cause cancer.

As there is NO proper proof either way I am not prepared to allow my young kids to play with old mobile phone. ( just as i wouldn't allow them to play with an old microwave)

Cheers Kellz

All-

Unless there are loose parts or pieces children can choke on (or antennas!) old cellphones are perfectly safe.  They are made of plastic designed to be in direct contact with the face and there is absolutely no radioactive material in a cellphone (or a microwave for that matter).  Only when powered up, phones and microwave work by transmitting RF radiation, exactly like your wireless internet, cordless home phone, baby monitor, etc.  Even then, they are perfectly safe and do not cause brain cancer.

It's still a good idea to remove batteries though.  Not only could they leak  but even an old, deactivated cellphone with no account is able to dial 911. 

Hope this clears things up!

-RF Engineer with kids

There are many discussions on whether cell phones are safe for kids to play with. The most recent finding (September 2009) out of Tel Aviv University medical school has shown beyond any doubt that cell phones are indeed linked to brain cancer.  Here is one of the links:

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-02/afot-cpl021408.php   The rate is higher for children since their brain is in development and during the growth period it is more susceptible to adverse effects.     What is also less known is that even de-activted phones are capable of sending signals!    http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3350003&page=1&page=1   It is best to keep all cell phones away from children. My toddler son was virtually obsessed with cell phones as he enjoyed playing music (the ring-tones) and games on them. Once I ran into this information (above), we completely blocked his access to any cell phone -- It was not worth the risk. And, he had plenty of other toys to consider playing with.    Mansour  

Yeah, I've heard a lot of reports that cell phones are pretty grody.

I don't think it's anything a little disinfectant or bleach couldn't handle. Just like day care centers or other parents wash kids toys that get slobbered on and food dropped on them. If the phone stops working...no big deal. It's an old one you're not using anyway, right?

Again, the phone shouldn't be able to make calls. I suggested only giving one that doesn't work.

Hi there,

Sorry but i don't think you can clean of radio active material . . . .  But in the end the decision to allow your child/children to play with these things is up to you  . . .

Personally . .  I wouldn't and don't take the risk.

Cheers Kellz

What a great idea!

if i found em all, id probably have about 20 trees planted :)
xx