SCHOOLGIRL Philippa Cotton wrote an essay on the dangers of mobile phones - and ended up meeting Tony Blair.
Philippa, 15, from Altrincham, a regional winner of the Commons Press Gallery 200th anniversary essay competition met the prime minister and Speaker Michael Martin as part of her prize.
She joined 22 other winners for a VIP tour of Parliament, meeting TV journalists and Education Secretary Charles Clarke.
They met Mr Blair at No 10, where he invited them on a tour of the famous rooms, including the Cabinet room.
Philippa, who lives in Bowdon, Altrincham, goes to Loreto Grammar School.
Her essay called for a change in the law on mobile phones so that children under 11 would not be allowed to use them.
She wrote: "I have researched thoroughly the effect that mobile phones can have on one's health and am now aware of the dangers and risks they may cause.
Communication
"It is difficult to understand how the government can certify films and issue a legal age of consent for buying cigarettes and alcohol when they are not considering the effect of this potentially fatal piece of equipment which is being sold freely to people of all ages."
At a reception in the press gallery dining room Philippa, who wants to be a journalist, said she felt strongly about the lack of communication in modern life.
"Children I see in groups are just texting each other which seems ludicrous. I think the next generation will find it hard to socialise," Philippa told the M.E.N.
"There's also the health risks involved - even when the mobile phone is off it is still sending out waves that can harm you. We don't know the full effects yet."
She admits that her mum, Jane, a primary school teacher, did not allow her to use a mobile before she reached 11. Jane said she was delighted with her daughter's essay: "I was impressed with the way she dealt with a difficult subject. I thought it was quite mature for a 15-year-old."
Altrincham and Sale West Tory MP Graham Brady, one of the competition's judges, said: "I was enormously impressed by the standards of the competition."
The two national prize winners in the competition were Hannah Williams, 16, from the Wirral, and Georgia Cole, 14, from Southampton.
Is more research needed into mobile phone technology?
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I think that this young lady will make a very promising journalist. I hate mobile phones, don't you? I remember the good old days when we used to talk to each other!
Good lord, not the mobile phones harm us scenario again! A handset puts out minimal power, an antenna on a mast puts out about 2watts if that. Compare this to having a 1000watt microwave oven in your house, what next, ban microwaves? She is a 15 year old kid, whilst I am sure the research she did was quite through it wasnt scientific or based on the understanding of the engineering. Also, ironic the Labour government are concerned, they sold 3G licenses and made billions out of them, they werent concerned then were they? Further to this, all those who are against mobiles, call your bank, call your pension analyst and see where your money is being invested for you. The banks and pension companies invest your money in technology and mobile companies fall under that category. No evidence they damage health, simple as. The Taylor report, independent scientists and the government cant prove they do, however a school kid highlights the dangers. Whatever. One thing I do agree on though, the ability of conversation is being eroded and the use of this dreadful text speak is a direct symptom of mobile technology. This I do despise. Ha....