The ongoing debate about the dangers of frequent cell phone use has flared up again, this time with a legislator in Maine and the mayor of San Francisco both pushing for cancer warning labels on locally sold devices. But while some groups who have studied cell phones and brain cancer claim to have found a link, there is nothing resembling a scientific consensus on the matter. Should Maine and San Francisco warn—and possibly alarm—the public about a danger that might not exist? (Watch a report about proposals to put warning labels on cell phones)
Warn us all you want — we're used to it: "So what" if the government warns against cell phone use? asks Amanda St. Amand at St. Louis Today. We're already told that "too much coffee, too much sun, too little sleep, too much this and not enough that" can cause disease and illness. Adding a label to cell phones won't change our behavior — it'll be "just another warning" for Americans to ignore.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Why ghost guns are so easy to make — and so dangerousThe Explainer Untraceable, DIY firearms are a growing public health and safety hazard
-
The Week contest: Swift stimulusPuzzles and Quizzes
-
'It's hard to resist a sweet deal on a good car'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
