Study: Wireless Radiation Exposure Linked to Childhood Developmental Delays

Babies living in homes with high levels of wireless radiation face a significantly greater risk of developmental delays, according to a new study published in Cureus.

Researchers in Mumbai, India, measured radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), emitted by devices such as Wi-Fi routers, cellphones and Bluetooth-enabled gadgets, in the homes of 105 infants aged 2–12 months.

They found that babies in higher exposure groups were more than three times as likely to develop problem-solving difficulties and fine-motor delays compared to those in low-exposure households.

The study noted that children’s developing nervous systems make them particularly vulnerable to wireless radiation, with about twice as much energy absorbed in the brain tissues of children compared to adults. Infants in high-exposure homes also showed greater risk of social and emotional issues.

The findings add to a growing debate over children’s cellphone and wireless device use. US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has previously warned of neurological and health risks, arguing cellphones should be kept out of schools. Nine US states, including California, Florida, and Virginia, have already introduced bans or restrictions.

Survey data shows 42% of American children now own a smartphone by age 10, with 91% owning one by 14.

A meta-analysis of 25 studies has also linked heavy cellphone use among children and teens to poor mental health outcomes, including depression and suicidal ideation.