Bluetooth and your child
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a wireless technology is built into many electronic gadgets like smartphones or mobiles so that you can talk and share things like music and videos wirelessly.
Bluetooth uses radio waves to send information wirelessly over distances up to 10 metres.
It has many handy uses such as connecting your mobile to your car stereo or allowing one to print a photo from a mobile phone.
What should a parent know about Bluetooth?
Bluetooth can be used by children on their mobile, so parents should understand the potential risks to the safety and privacy of a child with this technology.
Bluetooth can be costly as well as battery hungry.
It, like any Wi-Fi or wireless device, can be open to misuse and cause security issues:
- Bluejacking: SPAM or unsolicited messages can be sent to Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as mobiles. Some advertisem*nts may be linked to premium rate services that are costly and your child might see inappropriate and harmful content.
- Bluesnarfing: This is when someone accesses and copies the personal information stored on a Bluetooth device i.e. the address books, text messages, emails and photos.
- Bluebugging: This is when hackers take control of a mobile via Bluetooth and make calls, send texts and access the contact address book of the child.
- Viruses: A virus may be unknowingly be loaded onto a mobile when one receives a file via Bluetooth.
What other Bluetooth issues are there?
Parents should talk to their children about their use of Bluetooth devices.
- Copyright: As Bluetooth enables easy file sharing it is important that children understand their copyright responsibilities. Children might break copyright laws by sending or receiving files such as music tracks or video clips via Bluetooth which they, or you have not paid for.
- Sexting: Celebrities and some premier league footballers have sent naked and intimate photos via Bluetooth and so too have some young people. This could not only put their reputation at risk but also expose them to bullying and ridicule if the relationship goes wrong and the images are publically circulated. They might even be breaking the law by taking and sharing these kind of images.
Bluetooth Tips for Parents
- Talk to your child about its use and misuse.
- Learn how to use the Settings of your young children’s smartphone and disable Bluetooth if your child is not ready for this technology.
- Explore the website, especially the Parental Safety section, of the child’s mobile or smartphone provider. Learn about the Parental Controls and tools that the mobile provider offers.
FAQs
Bluetooth Tips for Parents
How does Bluetooth affect children? ›
Yes, Bluetooth devices are generally considered safe for human exposure. They use low levels of non-ionizing radiation, which do not have enough energy to cause damage to cells in the body.
Is it safe for kids to wear Bluetooth headphones? ›
One song played at high volume will not likely damage a child's hearing. But prolonged listening at high volumes can damage hearing over time. There's no research on how young is too young for headphones or earbuds.
Is Bluetooth safe around babies? ›
The sound device features Bluetooth® Low Energy. It emits 2000 times less power than a mobile phone featuring GSM 900MHz and 1000 times less than a phone featuring GSM 1800 MHz. According to current research, the use of Bluetooth® LE is considered safe for the health of children.
Can I use Bluetooth headphones near my baby? ›
If Bluetooth headphones are in use, the very low power radio waves for that won't affect you or baby at any distance. (You are exposed to a lot more radio power from the AC wiring in your home, and that is not dangerous either.) Is it bad to leave Bluetooth headphones in your ear all day?
Does Bluetooth impact your brain? ›
Bluetooth technology falls under the category of non-ionizing radiation to transmit data between devices. This type of radiation does not have enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules, meaning it is highly unlikely to cause cancer and brain damage.
Are AirPods safe for kids? ›
AirPods, the charging case, and small parts included with AirPods Pro may present a choking hazard or cause other injury to small children. Keep them away from small children.
Why are Bluetooth headphones not allowed in school? ›
Some schools have policies against wireless earbuds and other wireless headphones due to concerns about distractions and the potential for cheating during exams. Why do kids wear headphones at games? Kids may wear headphones at games to block out external noise and better focus on the game.
How long should kids use headphones? ›
The guidelines recommend no more than 60 minutes per day at 60% of the maximum volume. It might be worth checking with your child's school to establish how much headphone time they get and if they provide protection.
Is it safe to have Bluetooth on all the time? ›
Turn Bluetooth off when not in use. Keeping it active enables hackers to discover what other devices you connected to before, spoof one of those devices, and gain access to your device. If you connect your mobile phone to a rental car, the phone's data may get shared with the car.
Decreased IQ, verbal expression/comprehension, and non-verbal intelligence were associated with increased RF-EMF levels in the surroundings of children's dwellings, although definitive conclusions could not be drawn [30,34].
How far should you keep your phone away from your baby? ›
Do not place your mobile phone directly on your lap or near your baby while breastfeeding, to reduce risk of exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Experts advise holding your phone at least 6 inches away from the body to reduce radiation risks.
Are wireless Bluetooth headphones safe for kids? ›
Age guide. There is no specific age recommended for most headphones or headsets, however it's important to consider your child's age and development. Loud music or noises can cause damage to the developing inner ear of younger children.
Which is safer, Bluetooth or wired headset? ›
Foster advised stopping using wireless technologies if you want to be even more cautious. Instead, opt for wired headphones. "[You] should also be aware [you are] getting similar exposure from [your] cell phones and other Bluetooth devices," Foster said.
Is it safe to wear Bluetooth headphones all night? ›
Yes, it is medically safe to fall asleep while wearing headphones. It is recommended to keep the volume below 85 dB. Also, over-ear or on-ear headphones are preferred over earbuds when considering long-term use since wax buildup and ear canal damage can potentially happen over time with earbud use.
What are some concerns about using Bluetooth? ›
Some common security risks associated with Bluetooth include eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks, and unauthorized access. To mitigate these risks, it's important to use the latest version of Bluetooth and keep devices updated with security patches.
How does Bluetooth work explained for kids? ›
Bluetooth is a form of data communication that uses wireless electromagnetic waves known as radio waves. A scientist named James Maxwell, developed the idea that by combining electrical fields and magnetic fields, electromagnetic waves were possible.
Does a Bluetooth speaker emit eMF? ›
It's important to note that the level of radiation emitted by Bluetooth devices is relatively low compared to other sources like cell phones and Wi-Fi routers. However, individuals who use Bluetooth devices for extended periods may still be at risk for health problems associated with EMF exposure.
