Australian teenagers are using mobile phones excessively and notching up huge bills, according to a study by Deakin University.
An estimated 100,000 young Australians use mobile phones and some run up bills of A$5,000 (HK$32,000) or more a year.
The study, by Nina Weerakoddy, investigated how children obtained their phones and the problems they face trying to pay their bills.
'Australia has one of the highest rates of ownership among children under 18,' Dr Weerakoddy writes.
She said debate about the use of mobile phones by teenagers had focused on the potential harm they might cause and the possible danger from mobile phone cameras and cyber-bullying, but not on mobile phone-related financial problems.
'While these other matters are important, no real effort [has been made] to address the issue of excessive and exorbitant mobile phone bills, which mainly affects teenagers,' Dr Weerakoddy says.
