What Are the Dangers of Mobile Phones, Smart Phones, iPhones, and Texting During the Supervision of Children?

By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In homes, day care centers, schools, camps, and other child care facilities, there is a danger of distraction that typically is accessible or in the hand of most child care providers —- You probably guessed that the item is the mobile phone, cell phone, smart phone, iPhone, Droid, etc . . . . Technology has brought us the wonder of these mobile devices that provide you the weather on the spot, text messages, e-mails, news, and the world of the Internet on the move. While these phones can be a good tool and a great mobile means of communication, the phones can also be a distraction for those parents, adults, teachers, assistants, and child care workers responsible for the care and supervision of children. Rather than concentrate their vision on the children and their activities, many adults in charge or supervision are glued to their mobile phone screen and the moment —- This, in turn, causes distraction and less than optimal or consistent child care.

The Center for Disease Control reported that there was an increase in personal injuries to children age 5 and under from 2007 to 2010. The following categories showed an increase of child injuries during this time period:

Swimming Pool related personal injuries;
Unintentional Fall injuries;
Objects causing injuries to eyes, throats, etc.;
Playground related injuries; and
Other categories.

You can read more about the rise in child injuries due to mobile phone distraction at Child Injuries May Be Caused by Mobile Phone Distraction.

When a child is injured due to the negligence of a day care center, school, or while under the care of others, a parent may be able to pursue a claim or case for the damages and losses associated with the incident. The book titled – The ABCs of Child Injury – Legal Rights of the Injured Child – What Every Parent Should Know – has chapters on Day Care Center Injuries, School Injuries, Playground Injuries, and other topics. You can receive this book for free at The ABCs of Child Injury.