Queensland Department of Education Informs Students To Keep Laptops and Digital Devices OFF Their Lap

Queensland Department of Education, Training and Employment has issued Your Guide to Safe Technology guide in 2015 to all schools that states:

It’s not only physical hazards you need to consider when thinking about health and safety issues at work or home — you should also think about how you use technology. When using a computer, you need to think about:

• ergonomics and posture
• radiation
• vision impacts
• harmful lack of exercise (DVT).

“Wireless devices — smart/mobile phones, tablets, slates, monitors etc — all emit low levels of electromagnetic radiation and should be used correctly. When using electronic devices, the department recommends you follow WiFi/3G/4G best practice:

• follow the manufacturer’s usage guideline operate from a table or bench — not on your lap  
• use ‘hands-free’ devices to keep smart/mobile phones away from your head and body during phone calls  limit the number and length of calls  
• position the device antenna away from your body  
• do not sit within 0.5 m of a wireless router  use smart/mobile phone in areas of good reception to reduce exposure.”
• Watch a video on these recommendations here.