Child Wellness Begins at Home: Creating a Balanced Tech Environment

Our kids are growing up in a world where screens, smart devices, and Wi-Fi connections are part of everyday life. They’ve never known anything different, but as we lean on technology more and more, many parents are asking an important question: What is constant exposure to technology doing to our children’s long-term health and development?

Technology isn’t going anywhere, so the goal is balance. Home is where our kids spend the majority of their time, and we can create a home environment that supports children’s sleep, focus, and overall wellness while still using the tech we rely on.

Read on to discover what current research says about electromagnetic field exposure from modern tech and what you can do right now to build a more balanced tech environment for your family.

It’s important to remember that children aren’t just “small adults.” Their bodies are still developing, which means they may be more sensitive to environmental stressors like EMFs. Scientists have been studying this for years, and while there’s still much to learn, a few consistent themes have emerged across studies. 

A 2023 study looked at 29 hospitalized preterm infants and found that chronic exposure (21 days) to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF), the same signals emitted by our wireless technology, was related to increased instances of interrupted sleep. Interestingly, short periods of exposure during this same study did not show a significant effect on sleep.

Sleep plays a crucial role in neural development, immune system regulation, and growth. This study suggests that long-term exposure could be impacting children’s sleep and indirectly impacting growth and development.

A study focusing on 7-year-olds in Amsterdam found a link between RF-EMF exposure and poorer sleep habits, such as more frequent night wakings, daytime sleepiness, and parasomnias. 

Beyond EMFs, many parents are concerned about how screen time itself affects their children’s sleep. A systematic review of 49 studies found consistent evidence that screen time is associated with shorter sleep duration in children ages 6-15. 

In the same study that analyzed sleep habits in 7-year-olds, researchers also looked at emotional and behavioral issues. They found that greater EMF exposure was related to a higher number of emotional and behavior difficulties through teacher and parent reports.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified EMFs as “possibly carcinogenic.” A systematic review and meta-analysis (33 studies, ~186,000 children) found that children exposed to ELF magnetic fields of ~0.2-0.4 μT had higher odds of childhood leukemia (1.22 to 1.72 times higher, depending on exposure level) compared with lower exposures. For reference, studies have measured the ELF fields from cell phones in the range of 8μT to 70μT or higher, with the highest values often coming from the front side of the phone during listening mode.

There’s still a lot unknown when it comes to how long-term EMF exposure affects kids, because the modern wireless technologies we use every day are relatively new. Most human studies so far are observational, so they can spot patterns but don’t always offer solid “proof.” Measuring real-world exposure is difficult too. Kids use their devices in different ways, and other factors can easily blur the overall picture. 

Then there’s new tech always popping up, like 5G networks, smart toys, and wearable tech, and researchers are just starting to understand how these newer signals might play a role. Because there’s so much unknown, many scientists suggest taking a precautionary approach. Be smart about minimizing unnecessary exposure where possible, especially for kids, while we wait for the research to catch up.

If you’ve been following the latest news on national health policy, you might have heard about MAHA (Make America Healthy Again). This federal initiative is focused on tackling childhood chronic disease by addressing nutrition and environmental stressors that could impact children. 

The recent MAHA Strategy Update calls for further research on electromagnetic radiation, which is a big step forward in acknowledging that EMFs could potentially play a role in children’s wellness.

There is still much to learn as far as how serious the risks are, and some scientists want stronger evidence before drawing any definitive conclusions. But the fact that EMFs are now part of the national health conversation is encouraging. It means more studies, more funding, and hopefully some clearer answers for parents.

There’s no need to throw out your Wi-Fi router or ban all wireless devices to protect your kids. Small, practical changes to your tech use can make a big difference. Think about it like addressing your tech hygiene with little habits that keep your home’s electromagnetic “clutter” in check.

Here are a few ways to start:

• Reposition your router: Move routers away from places where your kids sleep, play, or spend large amounts of time. Turn it off at night if you can.

• Unplug before bedtime: Encourage screen-free fun the hour before bed to help kids wind down. Not only does it minimize the EMF load before sleep, but it also cuts back on blue light exposure.

• Use airplane mode: When connectivity isn’t actively needed, switch kids devices to airplane mode to reduce signals. Think about pre-downloading movies and music so your kids can watch on airplane mode.

• Go wired wherever possible: Use Ethernet connections for computers or streaming devices, and opt for wired headphones and gaming controllers instead of Bluetooth.

• Create a low-tech zone: Set up a special place in your home with minimal electronics. It could be a reading nook, a craft area, or the dining room.

Aires believes in working with technology by cleaning up the electromagnetic environment so your space feels more balanced. Think of it like tuning the digital space around you, reducing potential stress on your body.

By placing Aires in common areas like living rooms or in your kids’ bedrooms, you can help support a sense of calm and focus. Aires works best alongside the healthy tech habits listed above, restructuring remaining EMFs into a more biologically-friendly form.

As more research comes out in the coming years, tools like Aires offer families a proactive way to address EMFs right now. This scientifically-validated technology helps bridge the gap between tech and wellness, supporting the whole family.

Our homes are where our lifelong habits begin. Removing technology from our kids’ lives isn’t realistic, nor is it necessary. Instead, we can make smart, simple choices that help them thrive in a world that’s growing more connected every year.

It’s all about balance. Turn off what doesn’t need to run all night. Encourage screen-free hobbies and activities. Use tech tools that support this balance, like Aires. 

Our children’s wellness really does begin at home, and every small change we make now can add up to a healthier environment for their growing minds and bodies.