Two mobiles, one Blackberry and he's only 8

Neither Josh Wilson nor his parents are concerned at the potential risks. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Josh Wilson already owns three mobiles at the tender age of eight placing him in the firing line, according to new research which indicates phones do increase the risk of brain cancer.

But neither Josh, nor his parents, are too concerned because they say he rarely uses his phones.

He was seven when he got his first mobile.

"We were in Scotland with grandma and his cousin got one and so grandma said 'I'll buy you one' before I could say: 'I don't think so!' But the deal had been done," said Josh's mother, Jaci Nickless.

Dad Andrew Wilson then bought him a slide-in pre-pay Nokia and more recently a Blackberry.

Josh says he really only uses the Nokia - "I like how it slides out" and only sometimes texts a couple of friends, but he mostly uses it to keep in touch with his father.

He reckons he would send about 40 texts every month.

The Forrest Hill School student said he might use his mobiles less after hearing about the new research.

The World Health Organisation has overseen the $43 million, decade-long study which will be reported shortly.

It is understood early findings from some countries suggest that there is an increased risk of brain cancers for very heavy users over long periods.

The inquiry has been looking at whether mobiles are linked to three types of brain tumours and a tumour of the salivary gland.

Its head, Spain-based Dr Elisabeth Cardis said cellphone precautions were important in the meantime and that it might be an idea to restrict the use by children.

The study was conducted in 13 countries including New Zealand.

Telecommunications Users' Association of New Zealand chief executive Ernie Newman said new research always tended to make some people a little anxious and resulted in some purchasing and using handsets and earpieces more or easing up on their usage. But in reality people were too attached to their mobile phones.

He said "common sense was the key" and parents should always monitor their use of their children's mobiles.

"Kids do more texting so that's probably a good thing."

Professor Alistair Woodward, head of the school of population health at Auckland University, was involved and said he could not comment on the results yet as they were under review by an international journal.

But he said it might be a good to keep mobile phone use to a moderate level as their affects were not yet fully understood.

"It's an area where there's concern, but no clear evidence of harm of getting cancer," he said.

Meanwhile, Jaci says Josh does work around the house to get money to top up his mobile, but "I can count on one hand the number of times he uses it in a week".

She said it was great he was keeping up with the latest technology, but she would monitor his mobile usage closely and admits herself "I would be lost without them".

- HERALD ON SUNDAY