Across the globe, a movement is growing to get Wi-Fi out of schools and daycares. This started with concerns over the potential health impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on children. With more research pointing to a link between these hidden frequencies and short-term symptoms, parents are asking the important questions: What effects could EMFs be having on my child’s health, and what are government leaders doing to protect our kids from potentially harmful exposure?

International Wi-Fi Bans

Wi-Fi is one of our most common sources of radiofrequency (RF) EMFs. These are emitted anytime a device is sending or receiving information, and with the growing reliance on our wireless devices, our EMF exposure is increasing at a quicker rate than ever before. Because of this, a growing number of countries have decided to take action.

France

France is one of the first countries to take steps to reduce children’s EMF exposure from Wi-Fi. Regulations there ban Wi-Fi in kindergartens, and they limit Wi-Fi in schools for children up to 11. When not in use, Wi-Fi routers are turned off. In addition to this school-specific ruling, France has also banned Wi-Fi in spaces for children under three, such as nursery schools.

Cyprus

The government in Cyprus has not only removed Wi-Fi from elementary schools, they have implemented strong public awareness campaigns to educate parents on the harms of EMF exposure from wireless devices.

Israel

Like France, Israel has completely banned Wi-Fi in nursery schools and restricts Wi-Fi in elementary grades. Additionally, they have completely banned cell phones in classrooms.

Communities Taking Action

Cities and groups around the world are taking action to protect their children from unnecessary EMF exposure, even without any federal regulation. Some of these include:

• The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE): This group called on European governments to regulate smartphone use on school premises and encourage schools to turn back to wired internet connections.
• Borgofranco d’Ivrea, Italy: The mayor of this small Italian town called for Wi-Fi to be shut off in schools after student health concerns.
• Hospitalet, Spain: Here, Wi-Fi has also been banned in nursery schools.

Why Are Kids More Vulnerable to Wi-Fi Radiation?

We know that EMFs can affect children’s bodies more than adults. Because their skulls are thinner and their bodies are smaller, they absorb more radiation from devices like Wi-Fi routers. They are also more sensitive to the effects of EMF exposure because their brains are rapidly developing, and these more active cells have been found to be more impacted by RF-EMF. To top it all off, the fact that they were born into a time when Wi-Fi was already integrated into our everyday lives means they are facing a lifetime of exposure.

It’s a scary thought, which is why so many other countries are starting to play it safe.

Potential Health Risks from EMF Exposure

Research has identified a growing list of potential health impacts on children. These studies look at mostly short-term effects, because we won’t begin to understand the long-term implications of Wi-Fi in children for years. A few of these short-term health concerns are:

• Sleep disturbances: EMFs can interfere with the body’s natural sleep cycle as it suppresses the production of melatonin. 
• Immune function: Studies show that immune system cells are influenced by exposure to EMFs.

Cognitive and behavioral difficulties: Exposure to EMF in children has been linked to trouble concentrating and hyperactivity.

United States Wi-Fi Regulations – Or Lack Thereof

Many U.S. parents are frustrated with the lack of action from the federal government to look at the possibility of Wi-Fi exposure being harmful to children, especially when they’re exposed to this radiation for most of the day. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the governing body responsible for setting safe EMF standards. According to their guidelines, our current EMF exposure is safe. The troubling part? These standards were set in 1996 – long before Wi-Fi was permeating school walls in our country. 

Groups have been advocating for updated regulations. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) wrote a letter to the FCC in 2013 stating, “Current FCC standards do not account for the unique vulnerability and use patterns specific to pregnant women and children. 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.”
The AAP was a strong supporter of the 2012 Bill known as the “Cell Phone Right to Know Act,” which would have initiated more research and updated safety limits for RF-EMF. Unfortunately, this bill didn’t pass.

Why Aren’t We Doing More?

This question is on many parents’ minds. There’s no clear answer, but plenty of speculation. Public data shows the FCC receives a great deal of money from tech and telecommunications companies. With such deep pockets, these industries are good at downplaying the potential risks of EMF exposure. One Harvard ethics professor published a report on the FCC being a “captured agency” as they receive hundreds of millions of dollars from lobbyists from the communications and electronics sectors yearly.

5G Towers Near Schools: The Growing Debate

If the Wi-Fi issue wasn’t already enough, there’s also a growing concern about 5G towers popping up near schools. While 5G gives faster internet speed and connectivity, it also means more intense EMF radiation. And some of these towers are actually popping up on school property.

Parents across the U.S. are fighting back. From Michigan to New Hampshire to California and dozens of communities in between, people are raising concerns about the unknown health risks of having 5G towers so close to the buildings where their children spend the majority of their day. The simple truth is – there’s just not enough research yet to know whether 5G exposure is safe, especially for kids who are more sensitive to this kind of radiation. Unfortunately, that’s not stopping the tech companies from rolling it out everywhere.

But we aren’t powerless. Parents speaking out at town hall meetings, school board meetings, and online have helped raise awareness, which has actually stopped some of these towers from going up near schools.

International Regulations on Cell Towers and Schools

Over a dozen countries have strict limits for cell towers, specifically to reduce exposure near schools and daycares. Just a few are:

• Bangladesh: Banned cell towers from “sensitive areas” such as the rooftops of schools
• Brazil: Monitors cell towers within a 50-meter radius of schools
• Croatia: Designated “sensitive areas” with lower cell tower radiation levels for schools
• India: Some states removed cell towers within 50-meters of schools

Check out the Environmental Health Trust website for a comprehensive list of the steps different countries are taking to protect our most vulnerable population from EMF exposure.

How U.S. Schools Can Take Precautions Now

While we wait for the federal government to catch up, schools and parents can take steps to reduce EMF exposure from Wi-Fi for kids in school:

• Switch to wired connections whenever possible
• Place Wi-Fi routers in areas of the school that are not in close proximity to students
• Push for policies that limit Wi-Fi use, especially for younger children

It’s time for the U.S. to learn from our global community and start putting children’s health first. As more and more countries start advocating for their children, this will hopefully raise awareness that will catch the attention of U.S. policy makers. After all, kids deserve a safe place to learn and grow, and that shouldn’t come with an unnecessary dose of radiation.