Wireless LAN (WiFi) Technology in Schools   

Concerns are raised, periodically, about the safety of wireless network technology (WiFi) in schools. Solihull Council believes, based on scientific evidence from key organisations, that there is no basis to these concerns. Solihull Council keeps the issue under review as it does with all health and safety issues. 
 

Solihull Council is convinced that there are clear educational benefits to children and young people having access to a range of technologies, particularly those that are widely available and widely used. This includes wireless technology which is becoming ubiquitous — available in both homes and elsewhere. We believe access to technology is essential in our delivery of Every Child Matters — particularly to ensure that children can enjoy and achieve.

Solihull Council recognises the benefits of WiFi technology in education to complement conventional, wired, networks. We do not believe that WiFi technology is sufficiently advanced to allow the complete replacement of conventional networks.  

• WiFi technology brings the freedom for learners to have access to technology   wherever they are, rather than having to be at a fixed workstation. 

• WiFi technology can allow access in areas where conventional, wired,   technology is not possible due to practical constraints. 

• WiFi technology allows laptop computers to be linked to the school network to   form ad-hoc ICT suites, increasing the use of ICT in the curriculum. 

• WiFi technology also improves flexibility for teaching staff, allowing them to use   ICT more to teach in more varied ways. 

• WiFi technology allows computing to be used wherever it is needed — freeing   technology from the constraints of the classroom. It can allow for outdoor work   and work in non-classroom spaces, such as libraries, canteens, gymnasiums,   sports halls and playgrounds.  

Health Concerns 

Solihull Council recognises that there are sometimes concerns raised about the safety of WiFi technology. 

Solihull Council takes the safety of all of our citizens seriously — particularly children and young people. We take our responsibility to make sure that children are healthy and stay safe. This is also part of Every Child Matters. 

Solihull Council pays heed to advice issued by key organisations. 

The Health Protection Agency has taken the step of issuing a statement addressing safety issues around WiFi technology. The statement is available at: 

http://www.hpa.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?c=HPAweb_C&cid=1195733779274&pagename=HPAweb%2FHPAwebStandard  .

The statement ends contains the following: 

“Key Points 

• There is no consistent evidence to date that exposure to RF signals from WiFi and WLANs adversely affect the health of the general population 

• The signals from WiFi are very low power, typically 0.1 watt (100milliwatts) in both the computer and the mast (or router) and resulting exposures should be well within internationally accepted guidelines 

• The frequencies used are broadly the same as those from other RF applications such as FM radio, TV and mobile phones 

• Based on current knowledge, RF exposures from WiFi are likely to be lower than those from mobile phones 

• On the basis of current scientific information, exposures from WiFi equipment satisfy international guidelines. There is no consistent evidence of health effects from RF exposures below guideline levels and no reason why schools and others should not use WiFi equipment”  

The World Health Organisation has also issued a fact sheet (No. 304) that addresses the safety issue of wireless LAN technology. It ends:

“Conclusions 

Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected 

to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF 

signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health 

effects.” 

Becta  (the government agency leading the use of technology of technology in schools) has also issued a statement. This concludes: 

“Based on this guidance, and expert safety advice, Becta believes that 

there is no need to change its current guidance: while secure wireless 

networks can complement an institution's wired network, they should not 

replace it. 

The full statement is available from the Becta website at www.becta.org.uk  . You can find it by searching on “wireless” and “safety”.

Solihull Council is following the debate around WiFi safety carefully. We 

welcome any further research into the issue. We review our advice to schools, that WiFi is both beneficial and safe, regularly.