Our First Student with Health Problems Due to Wireless!!

[localzuk]

I think we've got more chance of dying from old GWB pressing the 'Nuke' button than from Wifi...

[sqdge]

Here's another thought on the subject - I'm assuming that any potential threat from Wi-Fi is coming from the radio waves causing cell damage, cancer, etc

 

As my Dad pointed out, wi-fi radiation is no more dangerous than Cornwall, which is radioactive.

[enjay]

As my Dad pointed out, wi-fi radiation is no more dangerous than Cornwall, which is radioactive.

Cornwall is indeed more radioactive than other parts of the UK (due to the granite rock) - however it also has a higher leukaemia rate, so if Wi-Fi is as dangerous as Cornwall, then we have a problem on our hands...

[kestrel1]

Lets all move to cornwall then. At least it is a nice part of the country to snuff it in.

[sqdge]

As my Dad pointed out, wi-fi radiation is no more dangerous than Cornwall, which is radioactive.

Cornwall is indeed more radioactive than other parts of the UK (due to the granite rock) - however it also has a higher leukaemia rate, so if Wi-Fi is as dangerous as Cornwall, then we have a problem on our hands...

 

My Dad also suggested we tried to direct the wi-fi signal towards specific pupils. So maybe that 'problem' could be turned into a blessing.

[philjones2000]

As a school in cornwall, I am now worried that our wifi maybe enhanced by our natural radiation causing the kids to mutate into super beings.

 

I wonder if the Daily Mail would be interested in a story...

[sqdge]

As a school in cornwall, I am now worried that our wifi maybe enhanced by our natural radiation causing the kids to mutate into super beings.

 

I wonder if the Daily Mail would be interested in a story...

 

I think you just have to ring them up and say "I have something quite controversial to say" and they would be interested in the story. Mention a quasi-celebrity and you've got yourself a front-page story.

[kestrel1]

I like your dads thinking.

[broc]

I wish somebody would ban WiFi in schools, it would save us a load of hassle with dropped connections, contention, maybe we could ban laptops too! No WiFi at school would be good for my health!

[sqdge]

I wish somebody would ban WiFi in schools, it would save us a load of hassle with dropped connections, contention, maybe we could ban laptops too! No WiFi at school would be good for my health!

 

I'd like to ban printers and projectors as well. Bright lights and ink particles can't be good for anyone's health.

[kestrel1]

Lets look at it logically, ban the kids & teachers. Sorted.

[apeo]

Lets look at it logically, ban the kids & teachers. Sorted.

 

Just sit there and play computer games all day.

[kestrel1]

Sounds like a good result to me mate

[timbo343]

This wireless business, i think its a load of tosh to be honest. I brought wireless into our school 2 years ago now, and we aint had any problems at all. Infact, your grades have gone up if anything.

[_Bat_]

This wireless business, i think its a load of tosh to be honest. I brought wireless into our school 2 years ago now, and we aint had any problems at all. Infact, your grades have gone up if anything.

 

Meh. I suspect there is something happening, we just don't know what yet. But... can we (that includes the complaining parents) do anything about it? Nope. Not at all. Mobiles phones are everywhere. Wifi is everywhere. Complaining to the school is just looking for someone to blame. I mean, anything bad that happens to a child is their schools fault now isn't it?

[apeo]

This wireless business, i think its a load of tosh to be honest. I brought wireless into our school 2 years ago now, and we aint had any problems at all. Infact, your grades have gone up if anything.

 

Yeah we have wireless here for while too and we suffer no ill effects.

 

 

 

This wireless business, i think its a load of tosh to be honest. I brought wireless into our school 2 years ago now, and we aint had any problems at all. Infact, your grades have gone up if anything.

 

Yeah we have wireless here for while too and we suffer no ill effects.

[kestrel1]

Always has been _Bat_. The best form of defence etc, etc.

Let the flack fly over your head & think stuff em.

[enjay]

Wifi is everywhere.

Bat makes a good point - I could turn our wireless off in school but it wouldn't achieve anything at all as many of our classrooms are served a lovely wireless signal from the nearby houses (one room has upwards of 3 different networks in range of it!).

[Pearno]

Hi! Love the show, I'm a first-time caller...

 

There's nothing we can do about this until there's actually been some authoritive research into the ill-effects of wireless. Until then, we just need to make sure that if a student (or teacher, for that matter) complains about it, the school have a stance based on the information available.

 

My current stance would be:

 

"Quit your jibber-jabber! Give me proof, and I'll shut down the wireless, fool!"

 

...partly cos pretending to be Mr T makes me cool.

 

We have to have health scares every so often. It gives certain tabloids something to focus on, other than celebrities and reality TV. Recent examples:

 

Green apples give you cancer

Mad Deer Disease

Teflon causes blood poisoning

Sunday Roasts reduce male fertility

 

Whilst I admit that low-level electro-magnetic radiation is something that is currently causing concern (and possibly with good reason), without any government-backed, conclusive research we can't possibly be expected to worry about it yet. And of course, every kid has a mobile phone practically welded to their ear, probably has wireless at home (and if not, their neighbour does), probably binge-drinks down the park at the weekend, smokes dope at every opportunity and plays chicken with juggernaughts on the A40...

 

Sorry, I have no idea if this is relevant any more. I gave up smoking last week. I'm in ranting mood...

[wil0]

haha, quit yo jibber jabber fool!

 

nah its all true.

[enjay]

My current stance would be:

 

"Quit your jibber-jabber! Give me proof, and I'll shut down the wireless, fool!"

Our view is similar to that, although not in quite those words!

 

Of course, the counter-argument to that is that we should pull the wireless networks now due to the possible risks and only re-implement them when the proof comes in that they're not dangerous. Let's assume that 5 years from now, WiFi is proven to be dangerous - where does that leave your school if you knew about the risks yet did nothing about it? Law suits could come your way from every parent whose kid has ADHD, "suffers lack of concentration" or missed their A-Level grades.

 

The case against the tobacco manufacturers is not so much that smoking kills you, but that 30 years ago they knew this but didn't let on. The 20-year-old with smoking related cancer has no case, but the 70 year old just might (and some courts have ruled in their favour). Perhaps WiFi will be the same??

[apeo]

@NickJones: Make a good point but I cant really see a school being liable when its all speculation at the moment and not proven. If it is proven or you have a reputable report on the subject and do nothing then you would be liable. Will it mean that if WiFi is proven all the homes that have internet will sue their ISP? Well thats my thought on it anyway.

[localzuk]

Of course, the counter-argument to that is that we should pull the wireless networks now due to the possible risks and only re-implement them when the proof comes in that they're not dangerous.

 

But how do you prove that? Proving it is safe would be impossible. That isn't how science works - it works by proving things wrong. So proving things as being unsafe, proving that the earth isn't flat etc...

[enjay]

Of course, the counter-argument to that is that we should pull the wireless networks now due to the possible risks and only re-implement them when the proof comes in that they're not dangerous.

 

But how do you prove that? Proving it is safe would be impossible. That isn't how science works - it works by proving things wrong. So proving things as being unsafe, proving that the earth isn't flat etc...

 

I guess that "proof" could be when a number of investigations by the likes of the HPA fails to find a link. While that wouldn't categorically prove the technology to be safe, it would be a fairly convincing argument, and would suffice in most courts of law. As I said, it wouldn't be perfect, but surely it would be better than the alternative stance of saying (from our highly non-medical opinion) "I reckon it's okay" and carrying on regardless.

 

I'm just playing devil's advocate really (you'll learn that about me!) - I'm not saying that I'm about to turn all our WiFi off, but I do think that the cost of INaction must also be considered.

[Pearno]

That isn't how science works - it works by proving things wrong. So proving things as being unsafe, proving that the earth isn't flat etc...

 

Ah, yes - but this isn't science, it's technology and in modern society this isn't how technology works (or rather, isn't how it should work). Something should be tested, proven, etc. before it is released on the masses. Just like new medicines (which is also science) - you wouldn't find a new drug on the shelves, only to discover a few months down the line that it causes you to develop curly teeth and a limp in your left eye. You have to test these things first.

 

The problem is that people get too caught up in the life-changing potential of these developments and rush headlong into them without the kind of careful forethought that maybe should be required (mobile phones vs. radiation is a case in point).

 

 

PS: I like mobile phones. And wireless. And certain medicines.