A driver talks on his cell phone while driving in downtown Ottawa, Ont., Wednesday September 30, 2009. Health Canada is reminding Canadians they can take steps to limit the length of time they spend on their cellphones.Sean Kilpatrick
Health Canada is reminding Canadians they can take steps to limit the length of time they spend on their cellphones.
The department is also encouraging parents to get their kids under the age of 18 to curb their cellphone usage.
The new Health Canada guidance on cellphones is a response to a World Health Organization report earlier this year that suggested cellphone use may be linked to higher rates of cancer.
Health Canada says the evidence to date is thin and more research is needed.
But in the meantime, it suggests cellphone users take steps to reduce their exposure to radiofrequency energy, the type of radiation given off by cellphones.
It suggests people substitute text messages for cellphone calls or use hands-free devices.
The Canadian Press