Pupils in the UK could face a ban on mobile phones in school as part of a new Ofsted crackdown on classroom discipline.  Schools will be penalised for failing to tackle persistent low-level disruption in lessons under a tough new inspection regime being introduced next term.  This could force teachers to forbid mobile phone use by pupils. Reported in the Dailymail. Also in the Telegraph.  This is an excellent step towards creating safer environments in schools.  In 2011, Redmayne et al reported in the journal Reproductive Toxicology "There is sufficient evidence, supported by recommendations from fertility researchers and governmental bodies, to make it advisable for schools to have and enforce policies that remove cell phones from students’ pockets during school." The paper reported that 43% of pupils admitted to the private use of a mobile phone in class, despite school mobile phone rules.  To protect fertility, schools would need to put in place policies that prevented mobile phones from being kept in pupils' pockets whilst at school and not just to ban their use.

At the International Childhood Cancer 2012 conference, Dr Annie Sasco, MD and Professor Dariusz Leszczynski both said that they supported a classification of radiofrequency fields as probably carcinogenic to humans (Class 2A).

Wireless technologies and young people - A resource for schools, October 2011.  A document for schools. Flyer.  Other resources to pass on to schools can be found on the Actions page.

                      For other recent news click here (2009-May 2012)

                  Wi-Fi in schools

Recent years have seen a huge increase in the number of UK schools installing wireless computer networks (Wi-Fi, WLAN), wireless white boards, and similar devices.  Schools have been encouraged to use 'smart' and 'mobile' technologies (BECTA).

Wireless systems offer freedom to move around the school with laptops/hand-held computers and are easier and sometimes cheaper to install than wired networks.  Schools have invested money in the technologies, pupils like them and they have become a part of school culture.

However, schools, parents and staff are often unaware of the enormous number of scientific studies now published which suggest that mobile and wireless technologies which emit microwave radiation may pose a health risk, especially to children.  The science is published in scientific journals, often only available to subscribers.  The concerns of scientists and scientific studies are not always communicated to the public.  Thus schools rely upon the statements about the use of wireless technologies in schools made by the UK Health Protection Agency.

This web site aims to provide more information about the science (Scientific Research and Health Issues for Schools), about International Concerns and the Precautionary Approach which some people are now taking with regard to these technologies.  The hope is for this information to become more widely known, so that parents and schools will be better equipped to make informed decisions about which technologies schools should be choosing for children and teenagers to use.  For a 'quick look' see Key points for schools.

A safe place for children     

Most children have to attend school.  Home tutoring is rarely a practical option, and it fails to provide the social education that is gained by being part of a large group.

Schools need to provide safe environments for all children, irrespective of their susceptibilities to different diseases or genetic make ups.

Children deserve a safe environment to learn, play, develop and thrive. Many households now use some form of mobile or wireless technology, and this is their choice. Others have chosen not to use wireless technologies where there are wired alternatives.  In school children have no choice about their exposure.  Schools therefore have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for all children whilst in their care.

'The Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection emphasize ultimate urgency to defend children's health from the influence of the electromagnetic fields of the mobile communication systems.  We appeal to the government authorities, to the entire society to pay closest attention to this coming threat and to take adequate measures in order to prevent negative consequences to the future generation's health. ... It is our professional obligation not to let damage the children's health by inactivity'. (2008, See International Concerns).