Dr Lisa Hutchinson
One of the most recent letters on the Councils, Planning & ACHES Letters part of the ACHES website is the one sent to head teachers and educators in schools about the dangers of smartphones and wireless technology. A group of concerned individuals and parents took the time to contact schools across the country to advocate for reduced use of digital devices by children and adolescents in schools. Concerns about 5G and wireless telecommunications are growing, as exemplified by an open letter, which is still open for signatures, that was created by musician Tim Arnold and has now been signed by hundreds – spurred on by several high-profile celebrities who protested about ‘5G coming to the tube’.
Tim Arnold’s open letter to Sadiq Khan about the recent advertising campaign promoting the use of 5G communications on the London Underground raises many concerns about the digital norms shaping our society. A testament to these concerns is the development of disturbing health effects, emphasised by studies in the media showing that children’s academic performance and emotional health improved following a break from smart devices. Dr Rangan Chatterjee reported on a study with Year 8 students, showing they experienced improved sleep, reduced anxiety, and stronger social abilities after 3 weeks without screens.