News Our Feedback to EC 02 September 2022
Have your say - Digital skills & education
You can also get involved in forming EU laws. The European Commission would like to hear your views on laws and policies currently in development. They offer a platform "Have your say" with the list of all new EU initiatives open for public consultation. You need to register to write your feedback.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say
There are always 5 stages of each EU initiative, each stage is open for public consultation for a specific time frame:
In preparation
Call for evidence
Public consultation
Draft act
Commission adoption
Digital skills – improving their provision
About this initiative: Digital skills levels remain low. The COVID-19 crisis further increased demand for these skills. This initiative aims to set out what needs to be done to promote digital skills early on and at all stages of education and training.
Feedback period: for stage 2 it is 01 August 2022 - 16 September
Digital education – enabling factors for success
About this initiative: This initiative aims to set out what needs to be done (in the form of investment and policy reforms) to ensure everyone has access to digital education.
Feedback period: for stage 2 it is 01 August 2022 - 16 September
Feedback1 from Europeans for Safe Connections
We "Europeans for Safe Connections" welcome this initiative. Among digital skills belong also how to use technology safely.
Therefore we recommend: Educate the public on the hazards associated with wireless technologies and how to minimize exposure (e.g. using cables).
https://signstop5g.eu/en/solutions/protection-of-all-life-on-earth/proposal-7
Detailed explanation:
Parliamentary Assembly Resolution 1815 in point 8.3.1. states: "develop within different ministries (education, environment and health) targeted information campaigns aimed at teachers, parents and children to alert them to the specific risks of early, ill-considered and prolonged use of mobiles and other devices emitting microwaves".
Our request is
- that the public be fully informed about the potential health risks from RF EMF and taught harm reduction strategies (e.g. Cyprus national campaign)
- that people be advised to turn off the wireless functions (e.g. Wi-Fi, mobile data, Bluetooth etc.) at night and make sure they are not radiated from outside in order to help the body regenerate from day time exposure
- no advertising of wireless devices for or featuring children (like they have in France)
- medical professionals be educated about the biological effects of RF EMF and be provided training on treatment of patients with electromagnetic sensitivity
- that education programme be funded in order to include education about harmful effects of RF EMF in national education plans in Member States for parents, basic and secondary schools.
Since children are obliged by law to attend school, it is important to create a safe environment for them. Children are the most vulnerable to exposure from RF EMF. There are several leads to act on, to mention some options from our ECI:
- Cables should always be the first choice (instead of wireless).
- All wireless transmitters should be disabled on all Wi-Fi-enabled devices (and all wireless-enabled devices) and school should provide wired network connections for desktop computers, laptops, notebooks, tablets, whiteboards and printers. Airplane mode should be used on cell phones and on wearables (e.g. smartwatches).
- In general, wired local area network (LAN) should be provided for Internet access throughout the school.
- When no cabled solutions are possible, wireless should be time limited and the power should be set to the lowest usable level. After the work is finished, it must not be forgotten to turn off all wireless functions.
- Children should learn how to use their devices safely. By adult's example they would therefore also be indirectly educated.
- The school also should prohibit the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices in instructional areas/classrooms.
The same applies when using virtual reality which is being more and more included into school process. Pospone VR into later age and educate on safe ways of using VR with low radiation.
Moreover, public should be educated also on:
- ways on using devices to lower ecological impact, to minimise energy use and to produce less waste (WEEE).
- ways of using devices to lower cybercriminality, to protect their personal data. They should know how their personal data are processed and what automated procedures are used (e.g. artificial intelligence)
Best regards
Petra Bertová
on behalf of the Europeans for Safe Connections
Feedback2 from Europeans for Safe Connections
We "Europeans for Safe Connections" are aware that the process of digitalisation is constantly accelerating. Digital applications are tools for transmitting information - no more, no less. Digital media must not be a substitute for the real world, because only the latter promotes self-awareness, cognitive ability and independent, reflective and critical thinking. Physical & mental health must come first. We suggest:
- Promote education in a critical, supportive use of digital media that does not increase children's addiction to screens. Experts in child psychology warn against impairment of brain development, communication stress, addiction risks, loss of privacy, sites on the net that are harmful to minors, cyberbullying and health impairments due to continuous exposure to mobile phone applications. Education through screens and digital technologies should be supervised by expert psychologists and addiction specialists.
- Children should not be forced to use wireless technologies or be inadvertently exposed to RF EMF during education. Children have a right to safety and health. Their organism is developing and needs the appropriate environmental conditions for healthy development. Many medical researchers refer to The Precautionary Principle and recommend that exposure to RF EMF should be minimized and the introduction of wireless technologies to children should be as late as possible. Parliamentary Assembly Resolution 1815, point 8.3.1.: "take all reasonable measures to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields...and particularly the exposure to children and young people who seem to be most at risk from head tumours"
- In schools, there has been a massive deployment of Wi-Fi or interactive whiteboards with wireless connectivity. There are now pilot projects with wireless virtual reality, which creates a strong exposure directly to the brain, visual and auditory organs.
- Limit and reduce the active and passive exposure of kindergarten and primary school students to personal wireless devices such as smartphones, portable phones, smartwatches and wristbands, wireless virtual reality and connected toys due to the ignorance of teachers and parents, representatives of the public, through proactive educational practices.
Resolution 1815, point 8.3.1.: "develop within different ministries (education, environment and health) targeted information campaigns aimed at teachers, parents and children to alert them to the specific risks of early, ill-considered and prolonged use of mobiles and other devices emitting microwaves"
- Support digital education based on wired connections via fibre optic cables. Higher transmission speeds, lower latency, higher security, low energy consumption, but primarily health protection through minimal emission of RF EMF are very beneficial over technologies built on wireless. Instead of wireless development, allocate money to return structured cabling to schools and to purchase USB LAN adapters so that wireless devices in airplane mode without a LAN port can use wired connections.
According Resolution 1815, point 8.2.4. "recommend the use of wired, fixed telephones at home"
promote wired communication as a high priority solution for home-based distance education and for ordinary leisure activities
paidi.com.cy/guide-on-safe-internet-connection-especially-for-children-and-distance-learning/?lang=en
- Consider children as risk groups and estabilish proper education conditions for them according to Resolution 1815 in point 8.1.4. "pay particular attention to "electrosensitive" people and introduce special measures to protect them, including the creation of wave-free areas not covered by the wireless network".
- Take inspiration from the Cyprus National Committee for the Protection of Children's Health and the Environment, their long-term education on the risks of RF EMF exposure and cooperation with doctors.
Best regards
Kamil Bartošák
on behalf of the Europeans for Safe Connections
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