Recall of mobile phone usage and laterality in young people: The multinational Mobi-Expo study
Abstract
Study Overview
The objective of the study was to investigate the recall accuracy of mobile phone usage, including laterality and hands-free device utilization, in young individuals from various countries.
Methods Employed
- Study participants ranged from 10 to 24 years old, spanning 12 countries.
- Mobile phone use data were recorded by the XMobiSense software and later compared with participant self-reports at 6 and 18-month intervals after application use.
- Data gathered included voice calls' frequency and duration, texting, data transfer amounts, laterality, and hands-free usage statistics.
Key Findings
- Comparison between recorded data and self-reported data: Spearman correlation coefficients for the number and duration of voice calls were 0.68 and 0.65, respectively.
- Disparities in self-reported and recorded usage revealed underestimations and overestimations linked to individual characteristics and country-specific factors.
- Notably, laterality analysis showed discrepancies in left vs. right side usage as per self-reports versus recorded data.
Discussion and Conclusion
These results highlight that while young people can recall their phone usage fairly accurately, this recall ability is influenced by their usage level and personal traits. This study carries significant implications for understanding and improving estimation methodologies for radiofrequency exposure in the context of increasing mobile phone use.