Children’s Health Defense (CHD), a U.S.-based advocacy group recognized for its longstanding work on child safety, issued an advisory on August 11, 2026, highlighting the risks schoolchildren face from wireless technology. Though focused on the U.S., the advisory carries relevance for other nations, including India.
The CHD statement warns: “Wi-Fi routers stay on in every classroom, often all day, whether or not they're in active use. Tablets and laptops sit in laps and against small bodies for hours each day. And in a growing number of districts, cell towers and 5G antennas have been installed on or near school property — sometimes without notifying parents or conducting any real health review. Most parents have never been asked for consent. Most don't even know wireless radiation has harmful impacts on children’s health.”
The advisory explains why children are especially vulnerable: “Children are not small adults. Their brains and bodies absorb more wireless radiation than adults, and because they're exposed earlier in life, they experience greater exposure over their lifetimes. Thousands of peer-reviewed scientific studies link wireless radiation exposure to cancer, sleep disruption, behavioural issues, and memory problems.”
Earlier this year, a World Health Organization (WHO)-commissioned review concluded there is "high certainty" evidence that wireless radiation causes cancer in animals — a finding that, according to some experts, should prompt the WHO to reclassify wireless radiation as a human carcinogen.
The CHD advisory recommends “simple changes — wired connections where possible, routers powered down when not in use, clear screen-time guidelines — can meaningfully reduce exposure without compromising your child's education.” CHD has also produced a Safe Tech Guide covering wireless infrastructure, daily device use, wired alternatives, and existing exposure policies.
These concerns echo an earlier warning from the Physicians’ Health Initiative for Radiation and Environment (PHIRE), an independent association of medical doctors and specialists. Their consensus statement noted: “Medical experts and practitioners from around the world have united once again to make clear their concerns regarding the health effects of escalating non-ionising radiation (NIR) exposures. NIR is electromagnetic energy ranging from Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) waves right the way up to Ultraviolet (UV). In particular, they are concerned about radiofrequency (RF) emissions from existing mobile phone networks, Wi-Fi, and the rollout of 5G.”
The PHIRE statement added: “Whilst such emissions were historically presumed to be biologically inert, and are still purported to be safe by many to this day, there is now highly credible evidence to the contrary. The main risks associated with exposure to such (wireless) non-ionising radiation in the peer-reviewed scientific literature include: increased cancer risk, cellular stress, increase in harmful free radicals, genetic damage, structural and functional changes of the reproductive system, learning and memory deficits, neurological disorders, and negative impacts on general well-being in humans.”
Summarizing the evidence, PHIRE asserted: “Mounting human epidemiological evidence of increased cancer has now been corroborated by ‘clear evidence’ of carcinogenesis from animal studies. These include the two largest investigations ever undertaken globally, from the widely respected National Toxicology Program (USA), and Ramazzini Institute (Italy). What is more, law courts are now validating such links: with compensation for health damages from mobile phone radiation being won in a growing number of cases internationally. Some legal teams are so certain of negative health effects that civil suits for Wi-Fi and other wireless injury are now being brought on a ‘no win no fee’ basis, and insurance underwriters consider related risks to be ‘high’.”
The PHIRE statement continued: “Hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific studies have demonstrated adverse biological effects occurring in response to a range of NIR exposures below current safety guidelines; however, emissions continue to escalate. Medical evidence of harm has now reached the critical mass necessary to inspire the medical community to step out of their usual roles, stand up and speak out regarding their concerns.”
The document was signed by medical groups representing over 3,500 doctors, including experienced clinicians and widely published scientists. It declared current safety levels inadequate, highlighted disease processes linked to NIR exposure, pointed out the vulnerabilities of children and hypersensitive groups (whose symptoms may include sleep problems, impaired concentration, headaches, and mood disturbance), and urged governments and health authorities to halt further deployment of emitting technology and address public health failures.
Expert Comments:
- Professor Anthony B. Miller, MD (Professor Emeritus, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto): “This statement has been supported by several senior medical experts - This is an important statement that should be read by all concerned with public health. Those responsible for exposing children to non-ionising radiation, especially in schools, should take immediate action to reduce exposure to non-ionising radiation of the children entrusted to their charge. There is sufficient evidence to now classify radiofrequency radiation as a human carcinogen.”
- Dr. Damien Downing (President, The British Society for Ecological Medicine): “In my lifetime our exposure to radiofrequency radiation has increased by up to a billion times. There is no excuse any more for pretending this is not harmful – to us and to all life on the planet. Radiofrequency radiation is the new tobacco. Anybody sincerely reading the science should be deeply, deeply concerned.”
- Dr. Erica Mallery-Blythe (Founder, PHIRE, and author of the 2020 NIR Consensus Statement): “The message from these doctors and scientists is a simple one: ‘Progress is not progress when the cost to be paid is our health and the health of our children ... Let us stop, take a breath and use our human genius for true evolution that enhances our lives rather than sabotages them.’”
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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His books include A Day in 2071, What Our Children Will Inherit, and Planet in Peril. His website is bharatdogra.in and his YouTube channel is Bharat Dogra| Save Earth Campaign
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