This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/6602561.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Wi-fi laptop fears for children | Wi-fi laptop fears for children |
(10 minutes later) | |
Computers with wireless internet links should not be placed on children's laps because they may damage their health, a government adviser has said. | Computers with wireless internet links should not be placed on children's laps because they may damage their health, a government adviser has said. |
Professor Lawrie Challis told the Daily Telegraph children should be monitored while using wi-fi networks until further research has been completed. | Professor Lawrie Challis told the Daily Telegraph children should be monitored while using wi-fi networks until further research has been completed. |
He says children should keep a safe distance from the embedded antennas. | He says children should keep a safe distance from the embedded antennas. |
The Health Protection Agency has said wi-fi devices are of very low power - much lower than mobile phones. | The Health Protection Agency has said wi-fi devices are of very low power - much lower than mobile phones. |
Prof Challis, who heads the government's committee on mobile phone safety research, said: "With a desktop computer, the transmitter will be in the tower. | |
"This might be perhaps 20cms from your leg and the exposure would then be around one per cent of that from a mobile phone. | "This might be perhaps 20cms from your leg and the exposure would then be around one per cent of that from a mobile phone. |
"However, if you put a laptop straight on your lap and are using wi-fi, you could be around two centimetres from the transmitter, and receiving comparable exposure to that from a mobile phone." | "However, if you put a laptop straight on your lap and are using wi-fi, you could be around two centimetres from the transmitter, and receiving comparable exposure to that from a mobile phone." |
'Bigger problem' | 'Bigger problem' |
Prof Challis added that children are much more sensitive than adults to dangers such as pollutants like lead and UV radiation. | Prof Challis added that children are much more sensitive than adults to dangers such as pollutants like lead and UV radiation. |
"So if there should be a problem with mobiles, then it may be a bigger problem for children. | "So if there should be a problem with mobiles, then it may be a bigger problem for children. |
"Since we advise that children should be discouraged from using mobile phones, we should also discourage children from placing their laptop on their lap when they are using wi-fi. | "Since we advise that children should be discouraged from using mobile phones, we should also discourage children from placing their laptop on their lap when they are using wi-fi. |
Meanwhile, teachers have called for an investigation into whether there are any health risks from wireless computer networks in schools. | Meanwhile, teachers have called for an investigation into whether there are any health risks from wireless computer networks in schools. |
The Professional Association of Teachers union is writing to the education secretary for a clarification on wi-fi safety. | The Professional Association of Teachers union is writing to the education secretary for a clarification on wi-fi safety. |
Many primary and secondary schools use wi-fi networks - but the PAT believes there is insufficient long-term evidence to demonstrate whether such networks are safe. | Many primary and secondary schools use wi-fi networks - but the PAT believes there is insufficient long-term evidence to demonstrate whether such networks are safe. |