Tonight’s update is devoted to important tips for working with technology safely, especially regarding children as they are working on computers at home. These are recommendations that apply to all computer use, not just during this difficult time. (It is possible that children are exposed to less EMR at home than at school with the very strong and multiple Wi-Fi modems.)
The first is from Cece Doucette who has worked tirelessly to make schools safer. The second provides new Russian guidelines for children working at home. For decades Russia has had lower/stricter exposure guidelines than ICNIRP or most of the western world. Their suggestions are significant and I hope you will share with your friends, families, your MLA and MP as well as with school trustees, teachers and the Minister of Education, Rob Fleming <EDUC.Minister@gov.bc.ca>.
Letters:
From: Cecelia (Cece) Doucette
Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2020 10:52:00 AM
Subject: Important Safe Tech Tips for COVID-19
(click on photos to enlarge)
Settling in to stay connected from home…
We are grateful today’s technology allows us to conduct work and school from home, monitor the news and stay connected with friends and loved ones.
As we do so, let’s see if we can form long-lasting healthy habits around our technology use, and model good behavior for the children in our lives.
Two healthy technology habits to strive for are:
Safety
Balance
Read on for common sense choices and tools to help us get there.
Using Our Technology Safely
Public policy is starting to catch up to the science showing wireless technology is harmful, but what are we to do in the interim?
Choose hard-wired technology as best you can, and turn off the wireless antennas. Does that sound daunting? I was intimidated too at first, then I figured it out and protected my family — and you can too 🙂
And guess what? We get much faster speeds, a more reliable signal and better data security now!
We’ve just been oversold on the convenience of wireless. So let’s figure out how to have the best of both worlds.
My local cable station did a walk-through of my home. We created a 23-minute PSA showing common exposures and suggestions for remediation if that helps (thank you, WACA-TV!).
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Here are some device-specific tips:
- Plug in wireless devices to your router using an Ethernet cable and turn off the antennas in your device Settings (cellular, data, wi-fi, Bluetooth, hotspot, locator, etc.).
- Use a splitter to plug in multiple devices with multiple Ethernet cables. Did you know you can buy an adapter to hard-wire tablets, laptops and cell phones too? It’s what my kids use for their iPhones and MacBooks, and my husband uses for his new Android phone.
- Turn off the antennas in your router/modem. Your internet service provider’s help desk can walk you through how. Most boxes have multiple antennas so be sure to ask which ones yours has and disable them all: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 & 5 GHz public hotspots, and wireless home security antenna. (Note, to disable the latter, you may need to ask to speak with a tier-two tech support person).
- Use a landline for phone calls, and forward cell phone calls to the landline. No landline? Put cell phones in airplane mode and set timers to quickly check for messages throughout the day.
- Download texting apps to your hard-wired computer and encourage colleagues and loved ones to do the same. Or, agree to communicate via email on your computer instead of texting on your phone.
- Download books, movies, etc., to your device then enjoy them in airplane mode with all antennas turned off.
- For wearables, turn off the wireless antennas; the fitness tracker, clock, alarms and other downloaded apps generally still work in airplane mode. Some models can’t be disabled though so you may want to rethink wearing a transmitting device.
- Use smart assistants on your hard-wired laptops, tablets or phones instead of stand-alone wireless devices.
- Know where your utility meters are for electric, water, gas and solar systems. If any are digital or have an FCC ID number, they constantly pulse radiation through your walls/floors so be sure to avoid hanging out or sleeping near them.
- Keep your sleeping areas a sanctuary. It’s not just the light from the screens, it’s the radiation pulses too. Our bodies are meant to do cell growth and repair during sleep and the science shows wireless radiation hampers this critical process.
You can still use your cell phone as a clock and alarm in airplane mode (but avoid charging it in the bedroom, there’s a dirty electricity issue).
– Unplug Roku, Chromecast, soundboards, etc.
– Steer clear of wireless baby monitors, you’ll hear the baby cry when s/he needs you.
Additional Benefits
- Once a home is hard-wired, many find they sleep through the night again, wake up feeling better, and children’s behavior issues often go way down too.
– Hard-wiring saves your data plan minutes and batteries too.
– For those concerned with climate change, the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) indicates, “Wireless technologies will continue to consume at least 10 times more power than wired technologies.”
So, we know it’s a lot to shift one’s mindset from wireless convenience to safe technology, but there are so many good reasons to get started.
Maybe for today just notice where your wireless exposures are. Then start taking baby steps with some of the above so you don’t get too overwhelmed.
Some like to have a detection meter on hand so they can see and hear this invisible toxin, especially with the industry now encouraging antennas in just about everything for 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT). You can rent an RF meter for a few dollars a day too.
Balancing Technology with the Rest of Your Life
It’s easy to get sucked into being in front of a screen for long periods of time, especially right now, and that’s just not healthy.
Excessive screen time takes away from other important areas of our lives like relationships, preparing healthy meals, exercise, creative projects, getting outdoors for vitamin D and connecting to the earth’s healing energies.
Now that we’ve been on this all-wi-fi-all-the-time honeymoon, how do we start putting some structure around appropriate technology use?
– The American Academy of Pediatrics has a tool kit to help parents/guardians set boundaries and communicate with children about media use.
– There are also apps to help us see just how much time we are spending on-line and help us manage healthier limits.
– We know scientifically that both wireless radiation and excessive screen time can lead to addictions on par with drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, pornography, etc., and often manifest with similar compulsions, detachment, anger and rage.
If you suspect this is happening to yourself or a loved one, Dr. Victoria Dunkley provides a four-week digital detox plan that is helping many families. See her book Reset Your Child’s Brain.
– I keep a sign next to my desk called 50 Ways to Take a Break. It gives me reminders and fun ways to step away from technology. Perhaps you’ll find it helpful too.
One last thing.
Wireless radiation hits the immune system especially hard, along with the central nervous system. The effects are cumulative over time so the longer we use wireless technology, the more harm we may be doing to ourselves, and those around us via second-hand radiation.
With COVID-19 in play, it’s important to do what we can to support our immune system and learning to use technology safely will go a long way.
We realize it can be hard to open this conversation with others in hopes of transitioning to safe technology together.
That’s why we volunteered our time to create the non-profit Wireless Education, to build quick-online courses to level-set with the facts right up front.
Each course only takes about a half hour to complete, provides a handy tip sheet at the end, and a certificate of completion for compliance tracking. This may give you the confidence to know others can come up to speed with you:
There is a small fee to help keep our little non-profit afloat, but if that is a hardship just let me know. Bulk rates are available too.
We also have a Robin Hood model: if a company licenses the Corporate Course to train its employees, they can designate a local school and we will donate the Schools Course licensing for free.
Might your company like to help create a win-win and protect the kids in this way?
Please let us know how we can help.
Have a tech-safe day!
Cece
Cecelia (Cece) Doucette, MTPW, BA
Technology Safety Educator
Understanding EMFs
Wireless Education
HiBR Conference @ NIH
Expert Forum on Wi-fi in Schools
Municipal Presentation on 5G & EMFs
Additional YouTube EMF Talks
Generation Zapped Award-Winning Film
2019 EMF Conference for Health Practitioners
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From:
O.A. Grigoryev
Doctor of Biological Sciences, Chairman of the Russian National Committee for Protection against Nonionizing Radiations, member of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nonionizing Radiations of the World Health Organization
V.R. Kuchma
Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Multicenter Research Program for Ensuring Safe Digital Educational Technologies for Children’s Health̆, Director of the Research Institute of Hygiene and Child Health FGAU, National̆ Medical̆ Research Center, Children’s Health̆, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
Digital environment security distance learning for children under 18
Recommendations on the organization of distance learning at home with a temporary restriction on school attendance are intended for children and their parents, for grandparents and all who help children study at home using digital technologies during the period of compulsory curriculum at school and other educational institutions.
1. For the work of children under 18 at home in the distance learning mode, it is recommended to primarily use personal computers and laptops connected to the Internet via a wired network. When using a wireless network, the distance from the WiFi point to the workplace should be at least 5 meters.
2. The keyboard of the computer (laptop) must be disinfected with an antiseptic every day before starting work. The monitor also needs to be treated with an antiseptic agent from the workplace.
3. Before using the keyboard, wash the hands of both the child and the adult who helps him.
4. To reduce the risk of visual impairment and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, it is necessary to provide a child working at a computer (laptop) with a convenient workplace (the height of the table and chair should correspond to the height of the child), to exclude the illumination of the monitor screen.
5. The main light source at the child’s workplace should be located on the side of the screen (not behind the screen and not from the back of the person working with the screen). The brightness of the source should approximately correspond to the brightness of the screen.
6. The use of tablets for distance learning at home is acceptable for adolescents over 15 years old. Before using the tablet, you need to wash your hands and wipe the screen with a disinfectant (wet towel). The location of the WiFi point should be at least 5 m from the student’s workplace. The tablet is placed on the table on a stand at an angle of 30 °, the distance from the screen to the pupil’s eyes is at least 50 cm. It is necessary to exclude working with a laptop or tablet on your lap, in your hands, lying down and the like.
7. For all age groups up to 18 years, it is necessary to completely exclude the use of smartphones for educational purposes (reading, searching for information).
8. For all age categories for reading, completing tasks, it is recommended to use mainly ordinary books, notebooks.
9. Children under 6 years old must completely exclude the use of any computer equipment for educational purposes at home.
10. Children aged 6 to 12 years are recommended to minimize the use of computer equipment for educational purposes at home. If it is necessary to use it, the total duration of all types of on-screen activities for children of this age group should not exceed 2 hours per day (including watching TV). The class schedule should be based on a one-to-three schedule for ages from 6 to 8 years (for every 10 minutes of work 30 minutes of rest) and one-to-two for ages over 8 and up to 12 years (for every 10 minutes of work – 20 minutes of rest).
11. For children aged 12 to 18 years, the following mode of use of computer equipment is recommended: “one to two” for ages over 12 years and up to 15 years (for every 30 minutes of work – 60 minutes of rest) and “one to one” for children older than 15 years and up to 18 years (for every 45 minutes of work – 45 minutes of rest). The total duration of all types of screen activities for children of this age group, including watching TV, should not exceed 3.5–4 hours per day.
12. For the prevention of visual fatigue, it is necessary to perform gymnastics for the eyes during the break, for the prevention of general fatigue – a warm-up (tilts, body turns, squats, etc.)
13. If necessary, use headphones should limit their continuous use: no more than an hour at a volume of not more than 60%.
14. It is necessary to ventilate the room where the classes are held, before the start of classes (at least 15 minutes) and after each hour of work.
15. Do not use tablets and smartphones for educational purposes outdoors (in the park, on the playground and similar places).
The recommendations are based on the data of the program of multicenter studies on ensuring safe for children’s health̆ digital educational technologies, materials of the Scientific Research Institute of Hygiene and Children’s Health “NRCM of Children’s Health” and the Russian National Committee for Protection against Non-Ionizing Radiations, as well as using the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the best world practices in hygiene of a digital educational environment for children.
V.R. Kuchma
Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Multicenter Research Program for Ensuring Safe Digital Educational Technologies for Children’s Health̆, Director of the Research Institute of Hygiene and Child Health FGAU, National̆ Medical̆ Research Center, Children’s Health̆, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation
O.A. Grigoryev
Doctor of Biological Sciences, Chairman of the Russian National Committee for Protection against Nonionizing Radiations, member of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nonionizing Radiations of the World Health Organization
Sharon Noble, Director, Coalition to Stop Smart Meters
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”
Confucius