Electromagnetic fields of cellular communication as risk factors able to produce negative effects on the central nervous system of children and adolescents (review) Part 1 and Part 2

Abstract

Overview

The reviewed studies investigate the potential outcomes of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF), focusing on children and adolescents who have become active users of advanced communication technologies. This demographic is especially susceptible to adverse EMF effects due to developmental factors and higher device proximity to the central nervous system.

Findings

• RF EMF exposure, mainly from mobile phones and Wi-Fi, is closely linked to changes in the central nervous system (CNS), with the brain often directly exposed due to phone placement.
• Although few studies exist, diverse modeling approaches (including phantom, voxel, finite difference, distribution matrices, Monte Carlo simulations, and MRI-based models) have been explored to assess these effects.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) under RF EMF exposure frequently shows changes in bioelectrical brain activity, notably a decrease in alpha rhythms, which is a direct indicator of neural function alteration.
• Sensorimotor reactions—including auditory-motor and visual-motor responses—show measurable changes under RF EMF exposure in children and adolescents. Related factors such as working capacity, fatigue, time perception and rhythm reproduction are also affected.

Cognitive Impacts

• The literature review indicates that while findings can be contradictory due to methodological diversity, the majority of results support a link between RF EMF and negative changes in cognitive processes—in particular, attention and memory impairments—among children and adolescents.
• There is evidence for both single exposure effects and changes related to longer-term or habitual use of mobile communication devices.
• Notably, Wi-Fi exposure is highlighted in some studies as affecting the cognitive indicators of adolescents aged 14-17 years.

Conclusion

• Longitudinal studies are especially important for clarifying the cumulative effects of EMF exposure in youth populations.
• The review emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive research, especially in the context of new 5G technologies, to fully understand their health implications.

There is a direct connection between exposure to electromagnetic fields from cellular and Wi-Fi sources and measurable negative effects on the neural and cognitive functioning of children and adolescents, highlighting a real health risk that should not be downplayed.