Children react more sensitively to environmental influences than adults. To this belongs above all the high-frequency radiation of all devices which run via WLAN or Bluetooth connections and which have been heatedly discussed scientifically for some years – primarily because children are particularly threatened by the health effects of mobile phone radiation, as research shows.

In the meantime, a large number of studies prove that children are exposed to serious health risks due to their physical constitution by using digital devices. Even the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) admits that it hasn’t been possible to clarify so far „whether the use of mobile phones by children could have an effect on health“ and recommends generally „to reduce the strength (intensity) of the high frequency fields and to shorten the duration of exposure.” .

Long-term health damages

The absorption of electromagnetic energy in a child’s head is significantly higher than the one in an adult’s head. The children’s brain can be affected up to three times more strongly than the one of an adult, their bones even up to ten times. In addition, deeper cerebral areas which are particularly sensitive, such as the pituitary gland (hypophysis) are being irradiated – so to say the control centre of our complex hormonal system. The child’s brain is exposed much more intensively to the harmful radiation of mobile radio, WLAN and Bluetooth devices than adults are.

The potential health risk for children is substantial and can lead to physical damages, to disorders of the nervous and immune system as well as of the psyche and the behaviour.

„The child’s brain cannot digitally“

Despite the concerns and warnings of experts the 5G expansion is being promoted and thus the radiation exposure is being increased massively: By the end of 2021 Germany will be equipped with 5G nationwide But against the background of the harmful effects of digital media more and more experts insist on keeping children away from these devices.

The neurobiologist and neuroscientist Professor Gertraud Teuchert-Noodt deals with the effects of digital media on the child development in her research. The expert concludes that the medial over-acceleration might lead to a severe loss of concentration and problems in thinking among school children*.

A smartphone in a child’s hand means that the colours and shapes race through their small head like a fast train and they might result in learning disabilities as well as in a development of addiction. Typing and swiping inhibits learning. Calculating, reading and writing still remain the basic skills which must be integrated concretely in nerve networks. The child’s brain cannot digitally. These are the conclusions made by Teuchert-Noodt.

5 tips for dealing correctly with digital media

The children of today grow up in a digital world. It’s hardly possible to refuse them the access to this world completely – and it doesn’t make sense to do so either. That’s why we recommend dealing responsibly and conscientiously with digital media. So we summarized the most important tips of experts:

• In general, as little as possible, as long as necessary. This means that the use of the tablet computer, the laptop or the smartphone should be reduced to the necessary minimum.
• Children under eight years shouldn’t use mobile phones in general, children from eight years onwards only in emergency situations.
• Do not keep the switched-on mobile phone directly on your body (e.g. in your pocket), do not put the laptop onto your knees or lap. A variety of studies prove a decline in fertility caused by radiation through WLAN close to the body.
• Switch off your mobile phone as often as possible or switch on the flight mode.
• Do not hold the mobile phone directly to your ear or head when making a phone a call; use a headset or the hands-free system instead.

However, it’s no more possible completely without smartphone, tablet computer etc. Especially while learning or during home-schooling children can’t be kept away from tablet or laptop because they follow the lessons via the screen or they have to fulfil tasks autonomously. That’s why it’s important to protect children against the radiation exposure which can’t be avoided.

Therefore the exists. The radiation doesn’t disappear therewith, but the radiation quality is changed in such a way that it doesn’t have any more health effects on humans.

*Interview with the daily newspaper „Junge Welt“ (19./20.01.2019)

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