09/07/2025
Parents, Let's Talk About Wi-Fi in Australian Schools! 🏫💻
With our kids spending so much time learning, playing, and connecting at school, it's natural to wonder about their exposure to everyday technologies like Wi-Fi. We often hear about studies from around the world, but what's the latest relevant to Australia?
Understanding the Australian Context:
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is our national authority on radiation protection. They've conducted studies on radiofrequency (RF) exposure from Wi-Fi in Australian schools (e.g., across 23 schools in Victoria and New South Wales).
The good news, according to ARPANSA, is that typical Wi-Fi exposure levels in Australian classrooms are extremely low. Their studies show these levels are far below Australian safety limits. For example, typical Wi-Fi exposure inside classrooms was found to be 0.0002% of the allowable limit! ARPANSA, along with the World Health Organisation (WHO), states there's no established scientific evidence that the low exposure to RF EME from Wi-Fi adversely affects the health of children or the general population when compliant with safety guidelines.
However, some researchers and parents continue to raise concerns about potential long-term, low-level exposure effects, especially for developing bodies. While Australian guidelines focus on preventing acute thermal effects (heating of tissues), some international bodies suggest considering chronic or very low exposure.
So, what can we do to support our families and minimise exposure, both at school and at home, for peace of mind?
Supportive Tips for Families to Minimise Exposure:
Embrace Wired Connections When Possible: At home, consider using wired (Ethernet) connections for computers and devices, especially for prolonged use. This eliminates Wi-Fi emissions entirely for that device.
Distance is Your Friend: The strength of electromagnetic fields decreases significantly with distance.
At home: Place Wi-Fi routers away from common areas where children spend a lot of time (e.g., bedrooms, play areas). Check your router's instructions for recommended separation distances (often 20cm).
At school: While we can't control school layouts, understanding this principle can help in our home environments.
Power Down When Not in Use: Turn off Wi-Fi routers at night or when not needed. Many devices have "flight mode" which turns off wireless functions.
Mind Device Proximity: Encourage children to keep tablets, laptops, and mobile phones away from their bodies when not actively using them. For calls, consider using speakerphone or air-tube headsets.
Limit Screen Time: This has multiple benefits beyond potential EMF exposure! Reducing overall screen time encourages physical activity, face-to-face interaction, and better sleep.
Open Communication & Education: Talk to your children about mindful technology use. Help them understand the importance of breaks and balance.
Stay Informed: Follow reputable sources like ARPANSA for the latest Australian advice on electromagnetic energy and health.
While the scientific consensus in Australia currently indicates that Wi-Fi in schools is safe at current exposure levels, being proactive about minimising exposure where possible can provide additional reassurance.
Let's empower our families with knowledge and practical strategies for a healthy digital life! ❤️
