Parents Cautioned Against Allowing Children To Play With Broken Electronics

Parents and guardians are being cautioned against allowing children to play with broken or discarded electronic devices, due to potential safety and health risks.

Speaking during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on Friday (March 13), Executive Director of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Audley Gordon, explained that these items form part of the growing stream of electronic waste (e-waste), which contains hazardous substances.

He informed that devices such as mobile phones, and laptop and tablet computers contain components embedded with hazardous chemicals, including lead and mercury. These can pose serious risks if the devices are broken or improperly handled.

“Contact with these substances can lead to major illness… at the top of the list is cancer,” Mr. Gordon warned.

He noted that children are particularly vulnerable when exposed to damaged electronic devices, as they may unknowingly come into contact with hazardous materials contained within the equipment.

“Don’t let the children play with it. Kids don’t have the same ability to calculate danger or to embrace those protective measures around danger [that] can come from e-waste carrying material,” the Executive Director emphasised.

Mr. Gordon also urges parents and guardians to be vigilant when purchasing electronic toys and devices for children, noting that many of these items contain batteries and other components that could become hazardous if damaged.

“It’s important that parents pay specific attention to those electronic toys that they give their children,” he underscored

Mr. Gordon is encouraging citizens to store e-waste safely and ensure it is kept out of children’s reach until proper disposal arrangements are made.

“Once you have a phone, or whatever, and it is no longer fit for purpose, please put it away safely and call us or make arrangements for a registered licensed handler of e-waste to come and get it,” he advised.

The NSWMA continues to partner with schools, churches and community organisations islandwide to raise awareness about the dangers of improper handling and disposal of electronic waste.