Panorama's "Wireless in schools" Program 8:30 Tonight

[Irazmus]

I've been asked this by our ICT Coordinator this morning, but only so we have a response for partents. My reply was to quote the World Health Organisation, as our local paper did this morning. I havn't got the exact quote with me, but it's along the lines of:

The WHO sees no adverse ettects from low level long term exposure.

[limbo]

There appear to be two main reason swhy they are targeting schools in this particular instance - one is that they are (generally) state controlled and therefore something could be done about it quickly and easily (plus there is the underlying fued that seems to be ongoing between the BBC and the Labour government). It is also much more dangerous making these kinds of claims against commercial companies because they have better means of fighting back (Jamie Oliver would not have got anywhere campaining against the quality of McDonalds food for example other than spending a lot of money on lawyers). We are all share holders in schools because we fund them - plus you can decide not to let your child go to other places with wi-fi, but not sending them to school is not really an option (although many parents seem to disagree with the need for this, but that is another argument)

 

Secondly part of the argument appears to be that the wi-fi is more likely to be damaging to children because their skulls are not fully developed and therefore are thinner and have less protection.

 

Now - before you all jump at me, these are not my arguments - I am not necessarily on any side of the fence on this!

 

I would, however, be more than happy to get rid of Wi-fi for good as it is bad for my health - or at least my hair as I keep tearing it out trying to get rid of the dead spots!

[Vegas]

We've just had a parent try to blame our WiFi on her daughters ill health so we prepared a statement for her and any other parents asking questions. I better print a few off in preperation for tomorrow's expected fun and games.

[enjay]

I intend to watch the programme tonight, not so that I can come in to school tomorrow morning and feel justified in turning off the WiFi, but simply so that I can see the truth/lies/scare-mongering in the report and be better informed if/when people ask.

 

As it happens, we have very little WiFi in the school (the 8-inch thick concrete walls make it a challenge, you see!) and even where we do, our kit is only one of about four signals in that room (thanks to nearby houses with WiFi) so even if we did turn it off, it would make no real difference!

 

Perhaps I should also start panicking about the radio signals from our Bluetooth kits on the whiteboards?!

 

Just to play devil's advocate for a moment, is it right to say "we knew about the possible risks but waited for proof before doing anything"? Once the WHO and the HPA have found WiFi to be safe, we'll be fine and justified in keeping it, but what if they do actually prove these claims? Would we have been negligent by leaving the equipment running when we knew it MIGHT be dangerous? Do we not have a duty of care to err on the side of caution (much like people do with mobile phones, the true dangers of which are yet to be definitively established).

 

I'm now going to duck for cover... :-)

[cooper]

What does your statement say?

 

I think i may be needing one of these

 

Thanks

 

Cooepr

[bishopsgarthstockton]

We've just had a parent try to blame our WiFi on her daughters ill health so we prepared a statement for her and any other parents asking questions. I better print a few off in preperation for tomorrow's expected fun and games.

 

What does your statement say?

[Vegas]

What does your statement say?

 

I think i may be needing one of these

 

Thanks

 

Cooepr

Recent reports in the press have suggested that wireless technology in schools can be detrimental to students’ health, and we are aware that this may cause concern among parents. We are therefore issuing the following information about our use of wireless technology:

 

‘Your Name’ School uses wireless technology to give both network and Internet access to all areas of the campus, although in practical terms this is limited to the use of laptop computers by teachers and one set of laptops for student use in some lessons. All of our five ICT suites are ‘hard-wired’ with CAT5 cable, and our network ‘backbone’ comprises CAT5 and fibre optic cabling.

 

In an article in the Telegraph newspaper on Saturday 28 April the following quote appeared from a Department of Health spokesman:

 

“Wi-fi devices are of a very low power, much lower than mobile phones. The only firm precautionary advice issued by the Health Protection Agency is about children’s’ use of mobile phones.” (Wi-fi = Wireless-fidelity)

 

Statement from the Health Protection Agency:

 

“On the basis of current evidence, the HPA does not consider there to be a problem with the safety of WLAN.” (WLAN = Wireless Local Area Network)

 

Statement from the Department of Health regarding wireless technology:

 

“Typical maximum emitted power levels during transmissions from equipment often used in the home are up to a few tens of mW and therefore somewhat lower than the powers from a mobile phone. However, the separation of the transmitting antenna from the body is typically tens of centimetres rather than the one or 2 centimetres with a phone, and this considerably reduces exposures.”

 

In this technology driven world, radio signals surround us - in school and out - at railway stations, cafés, shops, at home and even walking down the street. We, naturally, are concerned about any threat to our students’ health and well-being and you can rest assured that we will take very seriously any advice given by the Government or LEA over the use of wireless technology in our school.

[mattx]

I think I would answer any parents question with some questions of my own:

 

1. Do you use a mobile phone ?

2. Do you use a microwave oven ?

3. When you go on holiday do you fly ? [ Solar Radiation ]

4. Do you watch TV ?

5. Do you have fluorescent lighting ?

6. Do you have use a wireless router at home ?

7. Do you read the Daily Mail ?

8. Can you think for yourself ?

[djm968]

A School I worked for had mobile phone masts erected on part of the building. This was a state school and the LEA had obviously granted permission for the network operators to erect them which stinks to me, someone at the LEA must have copped a nice backhander somewhere along the line.

 

The School recently became a city academy and the mobile phone masts promptly disappeared. Perhaps the academy trust wanted a little more oiling than the LEA to let them stay!

[Geoff]

This was a state school and the LEA had obviously granted permission for the network operators to erect them which stinks to me, someone at the LEA must have copped a nice backhander somewhere along the line.

 

If the LEA owns the mast and is simply renting space on it to Moblie Phone Companies, it's probably making several hundred thousand pounds per annum.

[bishopsgarthstockton]

If the LEA owns the mast and is simply renting space on it to Moblie Phone Companies, it's probably making several hundred thousand pounds per annum.

 

Money comes before kids and staff's health... sweet :?

[djm968]

Not sure of the exact setup, but I when I asked, I was told by some staff they thought they were owned and maintaied by the network provider because they had seen the company errect them.

 

I am sure you are right though, they probably made a fair few quid whislt frying the staff and students.

 

If I have worked at the School full time, I would have asked questions.

[enjay]

A School I worked for had mobile phone masts erected on part of the building.

I didn't think State Schools were allowed to sell their land to mobile masts?

 

My wife's school also had them on the roof (until BSF knocked it down and built them a nice new one) but they weren't active.

[cooper]

Thanks v much Vegas

[steve]

First it was lead in pencils, then chalk dust, fumes from board pens, projector light and now wireless.

 

Some parents must think we are out to kill their little darlings. Do they want us to wrap them up in cotton wool their whole lives?? Get a grip, the world is a dangerous place, far more dangerous than the extreme unlikly chance of wifi doing anything.

 

NEWS FLASH Cotton wool might/could/possibly lead to a rash, schools must NOT use it to wrap children in.

[elsiegee40]

We haven't got WiFi at our school... but I can bet most of our parents have at home.

 

Personally I think the little darlings are more at risk from frying their brains with their phones or from a heart attack caused by lack of exercise (that CAN probably be blamed on computers; albeit the ones at home!)

 

Lin

[Espada]

A School I worked for had mobile phone masts erected on part of the building.

I didn't think State Schools were allowed to sell their land to mobile masts?

 

My wife's school also had them on the roof (until BSF knocked it down and built them a nice new one) but they weren't active.

 

We have one.

[crc-ict]

Get in!..... staright after Eastenders

 

You'd think that'd tell us something, wouldn't you?!

 

Thank heavens it's half term next week, though. Sure, they'll be moaning tomorrow, and perhaps the rest of the week, but by the time we're back there'll be something else to be paranoid about!

[crc-ict]

NEWS FLASH Cotton wool might/could/possibly lead to a rash, schools must NOT use it to wrap children in.

 

Not to mention the unacceptably high risk of suffocation

[GrumbleDook]

WARNING!!!!

 

Students might learn something if you teach them, this could mean they learn stuff and they go and get jobs. This could lead them to put themselves in harms way by doing work, resulting in wages, maybe even a mortgage and a stable relationship. It will only end in disaster!!!

[Espada]

Given that several of our kids walk around with two mobile phones in their pockets (they probably stole one on the way in to school) with bluetooth turned on. The low signal from our wireless network must be so insignificant as to be not worth bothering with. I'm lucky if I can get a wireless connection in my room.

[markcuk]

damn 3 times more power than a phone mast (when downloading)

 

didn't show what make access point though,like mobile sar levels i guess each access point will be different

 

mark

[GrumbleDook]

Didn't show the type of AP or state which band(s) were used, doesn't specify sugnal strength ...

 

A very sensationalist start with the link between masts and WiFi.

 

The reference to the ill teacher gives no further information and if the police were to do that it would be counted as hearsay and inadmissable.

 

Let us see what else they use

[russdev]

Did anyone record this as forgot to set the dvd?? Can;t wait till bbc release new bbc imp...

 

Russ

[Guest]

Very one sided view. Loved the tin foil wallpaper in the womans house.