An Australian study has found children who frequently use mobile phones to send text messages are being taught to act impulsively and make mistakes as a result. The study of 317 Melbourne students aged between 11 and 14 found those who regularly send text messages were faster to respond to IQ style questions but were also more likely to make mistakes. Children who used predictive text were found to be the most likely to act quickly.

The researchers concluded that radiation from mobile phones did not cause the change, instead it was thought that the use of phones changed the behaviour of the children. Another possibility suggested was that children who were more impulsive were more likely to regularly use mobile phones because they suit their personality.

The researches stated that the study should not alarm parents.

Writer Tristan Boyd, Editor Ramesh Manocha.