In March 2023 the Santa Clara County Medical Association adopted Recommendations for Best Practices for Safe Technology in Schools in order to educate physicians, school officials and teachers of the complex health risks and potential health hazards of digital and wireless technology in schools. The group examined research on the broad impacts of digital technology including health and neurologic effects of exposure to wireless radiation, eye effects, mental health effects and impacts on academic performance. Recognizing the importance of protecting children’s health in all environments, including schools several recommendations for best practices were advised.
SCCMA Best Practices Recommendations include
- Creating a “Safe Tech in Schools Program” to educate students and staff on how to use devices safely and reduce wireless use in the classroom
- Using blue light reduction methods to reduce eye strain
- Establishing and promoting school cell phone-free policies
- Preferring and installing hard-wired ethernet devices instead of wireless wherever possible
- Consulting with an RF professional who can measure radiofrequency radiation
- Avoiding installation of smart meters on school premises
- Considering a policy to restrict installation of cell towers on school property
The SCCMA now joins many other organizations who have researched this issue and who also recommend precautionary measures to reduce exposures to wireless emissions and distraction from digital devices including:
In 2011 the European Council passed Resolution 1815 on “The potential dangers of electromagnetic fields and their effect on the environment.” They recommend concerning the protection of children: 8.3.1. develop within different ministries (education, environment and health) targeted information campaigns aimed at teachers, parents and children to alert them to the specific risks of early, ill-considered and prolonged use of mobiles and other devices emitting microwaves; 8.3.2. for children in general, and particularly in schools and classrooms, give preference to wired Internet connections, and strictly regulate the use of mobile phones by schoolchildren on school premises;
In 2011 the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as a class 2 B possible carcinogen after reviewing 900 studies. IARC Monograph 2011. WHO. Radiofrequency Radiation Group 2B- Possible Carcinogen
In 2013 The American Academy of Pediatrics has also weighed in with a letterrecommending reevaluation of safety standards for cell phones and other wireless products. The letter notes, “The FCC has not assessed the standard for cell phone radiation since 1996… Many more people, especially adolescents and young adults, now use cell phones as their only phone line and they begin using wireless phones at much younger ages…The FCC standard for maximum radiation-exposure levels are based on the heat emitted by mobile phones.. it is essential that any new standard for cell phones or other wireless devices be based on protecting the youngest and most vulnerable populations to ensure they are safeguarded throughout their lifetimes.”
In 2019 California Assembly Bill 272 was signed by Governor Newsom recognizing the “growing evidence” of harm associated with “unrestricted use of smartphones” by students at schools. Lower pupil performance, interference with teaching, and increases in depression, anxiety, and suicide were cited. The bill authorizes schools to adopt policies that “limit or prohibit” smartphone use by students.
In 2023 the Seattle Public Schools filed a complaint against the companies operating TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, SnapChat, and YouTube. Kent School District has since joined the complaint as well. They state that, “Young people across the nation are struggling with anxiety, depression, thoughts of self-harm, and suicidal ideation. This mental health crisis impacts the SPS mission to educate students by draining resources from schools… We cannot ignore the mental health needs of our students and the role that social media companies play…By marketing to and targeting young people, the companies who own these social media platforms have created digital environments that can negatively affect the mental and emotional health of our students… We believe that the companies should be held responsible for their actions and the harm they are causing by contributing to the increasing costs that school districts now bear in response to the increasing mental and emotional health needs of students.”
See Also
And
PST Wi Fi Radiation Health Effects
PST Executive Summary
PST Links and Resources (Books)
PST Scientific Literature on Eye Effects and Blue Light
PST Scientific Literature on Nervous System Effects
PST Scientific Literature on Electrosensitivity
PST Scientific Literature on Cancer
PST Scientific Literature on Reproductive Health
PST Scientific Literature on military and Government Reports
References
SCCMA Recommendations Best Practices for Safe Technology in Schools 2023 https://www.sccma.org/Portals/19/LiveBlog/3697/SCCMA%20Best%20Practices%20for%20Safe%20Technology%20in%20Schools%20Recommendations%20%2021423.pdf?ver=CwFQFTHs4ZuDmjDYrsLXzQ%3d%3d
Maryland Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council. Updated Guidelines to Reduce Electromagnetic Field Radiation. December 2022. https://healthytechhome.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/201/CEHPAC-EMF-in-HomeWi-Fi-in-School-Report.pdf
Maryland Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council Wifi Radiation in Schools in Maryland Final Report. December 13, 2016 https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/OEHFP/EH/Shared%20Documents/CEHPAC/MD_CEHPAC_SchoolWiFi_022017_final.pdf
2011 The European Council Resolution 1815. The potential dangers of electromagnetic fields and their effect on the environment.http://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=17994
New Jersey Education Association. Minimize health risks from electronic devices. https://www.njea.org/minimize-health-risks-from-electronic-devices/
IARC Monograph 2011. WHO. Radiofrequency Radiation listed as Possibly Carcinogenic. Group 2Bhttps://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr208_E.pdf
The American Academy of Pediatrics 2012 letter recommending reevaluation of radiofrequency radiation safety standards. https://ehtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-letter-to-the-FCC-July-12-2012.pdf
California Assembly Bill No. 272. Pupils: use of smartphones. (2019-2020). https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB272
Seattle Public Schools. Complaint Filed Against Social Media Companies to Address Practices Harmful to Young People. Jan 6, 2023. https://www.seattleschools.org/news/social-media-case/
