Belgium: New Measures to Protect Children from Mobile Phones

Belgian Minister for Health, Laurette Onkelinx

UPDATE (27 October 2013):  By royal decree, as of 1 March 2014, mobile phones that are specially designed for young children may no longer be introduced to the Belgian market. This concerns customized mobile telephones suitable for children younger than 7 years of age, for instance having few buttons and a shape attractive for children. Additionally, from this date forward, no advertising may be made for mobile phone use among the same age group.

Details concerning new measures aimed at protecting children from mobile phones 
RTBF, 25 February 2013 (translated from French)

Today, the majority of teenagers are hooked on mobile phones. The latest report of the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) considers that its use is “possibly carcinogenic for humans” and that intensive use is dangerous. It did not need more for the Belgian authorities to react. There will be rules to follow.

The Ministers for Health and for Consumer Affairs are encouraging a better protection of young users. In order to limit use, there will be rules to follow which mainly concern sales and advertising.

There will no longer be advertising specifically targeting children younger than 14 years of age. Sellers will be obliged to inform their customers of the “specific absorption rate” of mobile phones, that is, the level of radiation of the device. The sale of mobile phones specifically designed for young children up to age 7 will be banned in Belgium.