Antennas, towers and wireless devices emitting harmful microwaves on school grounds
A COLUMN By Frederick Sinclair
World Children’s Day in November 2023 saw the submission of The Declaration on the Human Rights of Children in the Digital Age, (Declaration), to the Secretary General of the United Nations. The Broadband International Legal Action Network and Americans for Responsible Technology (ART) supported by a team of medical, scientific and legal professionals, numbering in the hundreds, contributed to the framing of the Declaration and were the original signatories. The fundamental legal rights, declared for children, stated that; during the deployment of and use of telecommunications technology, children have the right to be free from:
- intentionally addictive devices, platforms and apps
- excessive exposure to wireless radiation.
- commercial exploitation.
The Declaration was in focus with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; that currently guarantees nondiscrimination, devotion to the best interests of the child, the right to life, survival and development, and respect for the views of the child. These rights are not, however, enforced, especially when they are in conflict with powerful commercial interests. The American Academy of Pediatrics & Adolescent Psychiatry has warned of screen time addiction, addictive algorithms, effects of excessive screen time and industry failures to warn of harm.
In response to inaction, this last spring ART filed a formal petition with the FDA, asking the agency to warn schools that classroom routers and access points may be exposing students to “unnecessary” amounts of radiation. That’s because most commercial equipment, as installed from the factory, emits much more radiation than is needed for connectivity. ART has initiated the Tech Safe School Project and it has been demonstrated that most devices can work perfectly when powered down up to 70 to 90 percent. Turning off Wi-Fi when not in use and locating away from, not directly above, the heads of students are among several other suggested protective measures outlined in the Project. The Project was proposed and free guidance offered to schools nationwide. Although contacted directly and publicized in several local articles, there is no known action being taken by the school boards, trustees, administrators or student councils.
A building nationwide awareness of telecommunication impacts to children has resulted in Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature enacting the Cell Phone and Electric Device Distraction Free Policy under Section 2803 D of the Public Health Law. The Law is intended to reduce distractions, as well as improve focus for K-12 students in all NYS schools. The Law does ultimately reduce the levels of microwaves present in school by curtailing the overall student use and emissions of cell phones on school grounds. It is a great step forward in protecting the student and enhancing their learning, however, there is no recognition of the need to further reduce the exposure to microwaves from other antennas, towers and wireless devices on the campus. There is no mention of wireless impacts to physical health of students, teachers and staff. Thirty five states have enacted or are considering such legislation. One can only assume that the telecom industry is continuing to suppress the truth, that exposure to wireless technology negatively impacts the biological function and health of all living beings.
The list of signatories on the Declaration has continued to grow and in the spring of 2025 ART filed a formal petition with the FDA, asking the agency to warn schools that classroom routers and access points may be exposing kids to unnecessary amounts of radiation. It is a simple request, which the FDA could easily enact, but, after 6 months the response to ART, from the FDA, stated that “they needed more time to study the problem and they’d get back to them if and when they come to a decision.” In the meantime NYS is subsidizing the installation of Wi-Fi on school busses which indicates we cannot assume school administrators or government will do the complete job of protecting our children. Now is the time to take matters into our hands; by becoming informed, and as involved advocates push for complete student health and safety.
NOTE: The ART webpage, https://www,americansforresponsibletech.org provides a link to the techsafeschools.org project which contains the latest information on the science, mitigation, solutions and resources for protection of our children from electromagnetic radiation.
