We hope the information on this website will help schools and parents in making informed decisions about the use of wireless technologies in schools.
The Council of Europe, the German Government, Israeli Parliament, Austrian Medical Associations, Russian National Committee for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, The American Academy of Environmental Medicine, The International Society of Doctors for the Environment and The Irish Doctors Environmental Association have recommended that schools use wired computer networks, not wireless. The International Commission for Electromagnetic Safety and Scientific Panel on Electromagnetic Health Risks strongly recommend limiting the use of wireless technologies by young people. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified radiofrequency radiation as a possible human carcinogen.
If you have concerns about the compulsory use of wireless technologies in schools you could:
- Discuss your concerns with your school, other parents and teachers.
Example letters to send to your school, MP and MEP are available here.
- Pass on to Schools and their Governing Bodies a copy of
- Our 2012 document 'Safe Schools 2012'.
- Our 2011 document 'Wireless technologies and young people' (October 2011).
- A copy of the recommendations from the Scientific Panel on Electromagnetic Health Risks (2010). This includes guidance for schools about Wi-Fi. The recommended far-field exposure guidelines of 0.17 mW/m(2) (0.25 V/m) or 1.7 mW/m(2) (0.8 V/m) are lower than those experienced by users of wireless computers (often 1-6 V/m).
- The letter about Wi-Fi from Dr David Carpenter, M.D. (2011).
- The resolution of the Council of Europe.
- The IARC announcement about radiofrequency radiation.
- Our 2010 open letter for schools.
Ask Local Authorities and Schools to name the person responsible for taking the decision to install Wi-Fi in a particular school.
Sign the: 38degrees campaign suggestion for safe electromagnetic environments in schools; the International EMF Alliance petition; the International doctors Appeal 2012 (if you are a physician or PhD).
- Print postcard 1 or postcard 2 and display in your local newsagent's window and other notice/bulletin boards.
The following videos may be useful introductions to the concerns about Wi-Fi in schools:
Video about Wi-Fi exposures in the classroom.
We fully support the use of computers in schools. We want schools to be able to offer excellent ICT facilities for use across the curriculum. But we would like the decisions made to take into account recent advances in independent bioelectromagnetic research. Medical and scientific experts are calling for wired technologies to be used in schools. There is now enough scientific evidence to justify applying the precautionary principle and making sure that network connections in schools are wired, not wireless.
Through our actions, we all play a role in shaping the type of society that we want for the future.
If schools currently using Wi-Fi and other wireless devices wish to create a safe environment for their pupils and staff they will require funding to provide wired networking points within the school. Parents, staff, local communities and businesses may be able to assist with this by fundraising. As local communities we can help to protect the health of our children and support safer schools.