Evaluate the economic case for and against governments attempting to influence how mobile phones are manufactured and used.

Mobile phones are often used next to the person’s ear, which gives it direct contact with their head (brain). The risk mobile phones pose is arguably insignificant however as the article suggests it can emit radiation, which can cause potential damage to someone's health. To reduce harm to the public the government might chose to build mobile phone masts away from towns and cities as to reduce the number of people that are in contact with radiation. Many components are made in various places over the world. Mobile phones are often assembled from a large number of components to produce a finished phone.

As stated in extract E mobile phones are often manufactured in countries where manufactures often exploit workers. Low wagers are paid to Asian workers that often have to work in conditions that are often poor and unsafe. Workers might also be punished if they do not produce phones of a high enough standard or fall behind. Basic economic theory states that profits are earned when firms gain revenue, which exceeds the costs of production. By keeping production costs low firms are able to make profits. The mobile phone industry is a completive market. Companies such as Apple and Samsung are often fighting against each other to produce the best phone at the lowest cost. In a free market system, such as the mobile phone industry governments take the view that markets are best suited to allocating scarce resources and allowing the market forces of supply and demand to set prices. If the government were to not intervene with the market arguably this would lead to lower costs (the government can’t set a minimum wage), greater consumer choice and higher employment because more employees will be needed to meet the demands and wants of the consumer.