Do you have WiFi in your home? Are you concerned with risks for LOs?

[Toposlonoshlep]

My DH and I are locked in battle over WiFi. We live in the city on the top floor of a building, so there are already a handful of wifi signals going through our home. He is a web designer and I am an editor/writer, so we are working on our computers. My DS seems to constantly be next to one computer or another, even though I try to get the computers up on the desk and not use the laptops next to him in the bed. We don't own a tv, so he sometimes watches Netflix animal documentaries on my laptop...

I am wanting to disconnect our WiFi so he is exposed to less radiation. I already keep my iPhone on airplane mode when not in use, and I just feel this would be a better way to protect him from extra radiowaves. My DH thinks I am nuts and has said something to this effect (I found this online):

http://askville.amazon.com/sleeping-room-wireless-router-dangerous-modem-computer-safe-child/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=2898760

What do you guys think? How do you handle your child's exposure? 

Edited by Toposlonoshlep - 11/29/10 at 11:25am

[Sfcmama]

pray

seriously, i'm so ignorant/easily swayed on this topic, i've kinda given up... what i try to focus my efforts on are the things that i KNOW can be harmful - so no watching tv at this age, buying organics, etc.

[sapphire_chan]

If you're still worried after finding that wifi isn't as dangerous as a lightbulb, then you can set up a wifi router to a very small radius, like the size of one room so he could lounge on a couch or something with a laptop/smartphone in an office area. You'd check where the wifi was with your phone.

[Toposlonoshlep]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan 

If you're still worried after finding that wifi isn't as dangerous as a lightbulb, then you can set up a wifi router to a very small radius.

It's not that I am worried, per say, I am just not sure that information is correct. I have heard both sides of the story. I mean, in many schools in Britain they eliminated WiFi in the buildings. Obviously there is some research that contradicts this? I was just asking what others believe.

I will check the router to see if this is a possibility. The smaller radius is a good idea. Thanks!

[littlegreenlady]

I have heard both sides of the story. I mean, in many schools in Britain they eliminated WiFi in the buildings. Obviously there is some research that contradicts this?

I say evaluate your needs.

My husband and I also work on our computers (online business).

However we don't use laptops, so we just run wires (safely)

We considered getting wifi, but decided that if in doubt we could do without (I made a little rhyme )

It hasn't been inconvenient for us so far, and it's one less thing to concern myself with.

However we also use a corded phone, do not have cell phones, and are wary of electrical gadgets etc.

So maybe we are a bit nuts.

If any of these things become a necessity we will roll with it.

awareness not stress.

[gracemamma]

Thanks for posting that info. I've thought about this off and on but we have wifi and have no plans to change. I like the - if in doubt, we ca do without. However, I think I wouldneed some evidence to convince DH.

I DO NOT trust that many of our gadjets and new stuff- cells, computers, wifi, teflon, new car smell etc. are innocuous just because they are ubiquious. Time and again, we find that accepted and pervasive items and substances in our society are dammaging us.

But I guess we also get to pick our battles on a day to day basis.

I have no answers to share, just more questions but I appreciate your sharing that info- now I can start freaking out about cosmic rays!

[Caterina]

We also have wifi and live in a building where there are many computers and wireless systems. But we don't have a microwave and do try to limit our exposure and our LO's exposure to tv, computers and cell phones.

We just visited a friends' place in the country where there is no wifi and no cell service, cable or satellite tv, microwave etc. and we all slept _wonderfully_! Maybe it was just the pitch dark and silence, but maybe not....

[mamadelbosque]

I have to say this is something that I have never even heard of worrying about before, let alone really thought about. And to be perfectly honest, espcially if you live in a city I can't imagine how not having WiFi for your specific house/apt would lessen your 'load' of radiation by much of anything. I mean, really. whats the difference between 10 wifi signals and 11? Really.

[Toposlonoshlep]

Originally Posted by Caterina 

We just visited a friends' place in the country where there is no wifi and no cell service, cable or satellite tv, microwave etc. and we all slept _wonderfully_! Maybe it was just the pitch dark and silence, but maybe not....

I read somewhere that people who keep a phone next to their bed wake up around 4am, even if for an unnoticeable bit? OOOOOOOOOH! (my best spooky sound).

[Toposlonoshlep]

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque 

I have to say this is something that I have never even heard of worrying about before, let alone really thought about. And to be perfectly honest, espcially if you live in a city I can't imagine how not having WiFi for your specific house/apt would lessen your 'load' of radiation by much of anything. I mean, really. whats the difference between 10 wifi signals and 11? Really.

While it is not something I worry about per say, I am aware that there are consequences of rapidly growing technological advances and our children's access to them. I think there is a difference between being unreasonable and having a discussion to see how others feel about something that is on your mind. I don't worry about most things others worry about, I just do my best to be informed and then...well, do my best. That's what I'm attempting here. I do appreciate your honesty.

[ecoteat]

 I don't worry about it. I have wi-fi at home and I teach in a school which has, like all Maine public schools, wi-fi throughout the building. Most of dd's nursing sessions for three years had her in one arm and my laptop at the other (I got VERY good at t1h!) DH has wondered if that was a good idea, but I honestly just did not want to do anything else when she was conked out on my lap for hours at a time. I was able to do a lot of lesson planning, web design, and MDCing with one hand during those times! I don't doubt that these artificial sources of radiation have some level of adverse effects on humans, but I've just accepted the (hopefully) small risk as a part of modern life. I really don't see any way to avoid it, and I also don't see much concrete evidence to do so anyway. (If there is any, please point me to it. But for right now, I'll keep enjoying wireless access at home and at work.)

[Toposlonoshlep]

Originally Posted by ecoteat 

 I don't worry about it. I have wi-fi at home and I teach in a school which has, like all Maine public schools, wi-fi throughout the building. Most of dd's nursing sessions for three years had her in one arm and my laptop at the other (I got VERY good at t1h!) DH has wondered if that was a good idea, but I honestly just did not want to do anything else when she was conked out on my lap for hours at a time. I was able to do a lot of lesson planning, web design, and MDCing with one hand during those times! I don't doubt that these artificial sources of radiation have some level of adverse effects on humans, but I've just accepted the (hopefully) small risk as a part of modern life. I really don't see any way to avoid it, and I also don't see much concrete evidence to do so anyway. (If there is any, please point me to it. But for right now, I'll keep enjoying wireless access at home and at work.)

Thanks! I enjoy your outlook. I may adopt the same philosophy. 

[oaktreemama]

When I drive around with my son I pass tons of coffee shops and hotels-all of which have free WiFi. I use it at home as I am a FT WAH mama.

I think we can drive ourselves crazy worrying about everything around us and that can be more harmful than the actual safety issue itself ya know? :)

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by Toposlonoshlep 

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan 

If you're still worried after finding that wifi isn't as dangerous as a lightbulb, then you can set up a wifi router to a very small radius.

It's not that I am worried, per say, I am just not sure that information is correct. I have heard both sides of the story. I mean, in many schools in Britain they eliminated WiFi in the buildings. Obviously there is some research that contradicts this? I was just asking what others believe.

It appears that the schools don't care one way or the other and are willing to placate parents who are scared of the word "radiation". The main source of the concern seems to be coming from these people.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by Caterina 

We also have wifi and live in a building where there are many computers and wireless systems. But we don't have a microwave and do try to limit our exposure and our LO's exposure to tv, computers and cell phones.

We just visited a friends' place in the country where there is no wifi and no cell service, cable or satellite tv, microwave etc. and we all slept _wonderfully_! Maybe it was just the pitch dark and silence, but maybe not....

Pitch dark, silence, not being responsible for the cleaning, food shopping, home maintenance. For that matter, maybe you should find out what sort of mattress your friend's have in their guest room!

[Toposlonoshlep]

Originally Posted by oaktreemama 

When I drive around with my son I pass tons of coffee shops and hotels-all of which have free WiFi. I use it at home as I am a FT WAH mama.

I think we can drive ourselves crazy worrying about everything around us and that can be more harmful than the actual safety issue itself ya know? :)

:) You're right. Good point.