Calm heads prevailed at the BC Teachers' Federation annual general meeting this past week with the abandonment of motions calling on boards of education to stop installing wireless networks in schools.
The majority of educators at the AGM - and in Twitter discussion forums - appear to agree that the benefits of wireless technology in school for online learning far outweigh the risks. And while some may disagree with Health Canada's assertion that there is no evidence linking low-level exposure to radio frequency energy from WiFi equipment to cancer, they are free to take their concerns directly to school boards. Indeed, some have suggested districts provide a wireless free school for parents who wish to make that choice for their children.
But they should do so with the knowledge that WiFi signals are similar to emissions from cell phones, digital TVs and other digital wireless technologies, including baby monitors, and thus difficult to control.
A more obvious risk to children's health is obesity, which has been directly related to diabetes and other health risks, and could be an offshoot of children spending more time on games and other entertainment connected through WiFi.
What do you think?Are you concerned, for health reasons, about the proliferation of wireless technology in schools? Vote in our online poll.
