Updated: February 3, 2021.
Latest news, February 3, 2021: Professor Oleg Grigoriev published on Twitter the following message:
Mobile phones ban in schools in Russia (Jan 21): mandatory State sanitary rules prohibit the use of mobile communication devices for educational purposes (at school, at home, in the park – everywhere). The installation of base stations near schools is prohibited too.
Screenshot 1, taken from page 1/54 of Официальный интернет-портал правовой информации
Screenshot 2, from page 41/54 Официальный интернет-портал правовой информации
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This news is published on the website of The official internet-portal of legal information (Russian Federation):
Resolution of the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of the Russian Federation dated September 28, 2020 No. 28 “On the approval of sanitary rules SP 2.4. 3648-20” Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for organizations for the education and training, recreation and health improvement of children and youth “(Registered 18.12.2020 No. 61573)
So far the update of February 3, 2021
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On July 18, 2020, Professor Oleg A. Grigoryev posted a tweet about the Ministry of Health in Russia, in which he announced:
Ministry of Health – Wi-Fi banned for primary school. And smartphones banned in schools too. Our proposal became the official opinion in the new hygiene regulations for digital school. The electromagnetic exposure of children will decrease.
In the PDF of the Ministry of Health, in which this was documented, is a special chapter about the requirements for online learning at home. I translated it with Google.
.Requirements for online learning at home
- In online learning mode, use a personal computer or laptop with a wired/cabled internet connection. When using a wireless data transmission system, the distance from the Wi-Fi point to the student’s workplace should be at least 5 meters.
- The use of more than two different e-learning tools for one user (personal computer and tablet, laptop and tablet) is not allowed.
- The use of smartphones for educational purposes is not allowed.
- The notebook should only be placed on a firm, flat, surface. The use of laptops by primary school students is possible with an additional keyboard.
- The trainee must be provided with a workplace in accordance with the body length. It is recommended to organize the workplace so that the user of the e-learning tool does not sit with his back to the window.
- In the room where the workplace with a computer (laptop) or tablet is organized, not only natural and general artificial lighting is needed, but also a local desktop. The local light source in the student’s workplace should be located to the side of the PC or laptop screen. The lighting should not create glare on the screen surface. Illumination at the workplace must be at least 300 lux, which can be provided by a lamp with a power of at least 60 W.
- The linear dimensions (diagonal) of the e-learning tool screen must comply with hygienic [health] standards.
- The organization of workstations of users of PCs, laptops and tablets should provide a visual distance from the monitor of at least 50 cm. The use of tablets involves their placement on the table at an angle of 30 degrees.
Working with a laptop or tablet on your lap, in your hands, lying down is excluded. There should be no bright light sources in the field of view of the device user. The monitor should not be placed with its back toward a window. It is undesirable that when working at a computer, daylight from the window was directed to the user’s eyes. - The continuous and total duration of using various e-learning tools in the classroom must comply with hygiene standards.
- If necessary, use headphones should be limited to their continuous use for all age groups no more than an hour. The optimum volume level is 60% of the maximum.
- Devices should be turned off or put into “sleep” mode when their use is suspended or completed, so that the luminous screen is not in the field of view of students.
- For reading, performing tasks by students of all age groups, mainly educational publications should be used
- During and between classes, breaks are organized to prevent visual fatigue, increase the activity of the central nervous system, to relieve tension from the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle, from the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle, from the muscles of the trunk, to strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the lower limbs. The sets of exercises are carried out in accordance with Appendix 2, taking into account the prevailing teaching loads and the condition of the students.
- Before the start of classes and every hour of work, the room in which the classes are held should be ventilated (at least 15 minutes), taking into account the weather and climatic conditions; draught should be avoided in the presence of children.
- The mode of using electronic e-learning tools equipped with a screen during extracurricular hours should be based on the ratio “one to three” for students from 6 to 8 years old; for students 9-15 years old – “one to two”; for students over 15 years old – “one to one” (for example, “one to one” – for every 30 minutes of work – 30 minutes of rest).
- When using electronic equipment, including a touch screen, keyboard, computer mouse, it is necessary to disinfect them daily in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations or using alcohol-based solutions or wipes containing at least 70% alcohol.
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See also:
1. Russia: WiFi and Smartphones Banned From Schools
2. Prof. Oleg Grigoryev – Chair Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
3. Tips to Reduce Your Wireless Radiation Exposure (Dr. Joel Moskowitz)
Safety Recommendations for Children
Who Use Digital Technologies to Study at Home
Scientific Research Institute of Hygiene and Children’s Health in the Russian Ministry of Health and the Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (RusCNIRP)
March 25, 2020
(The recommendations were translated from Russian using Google’s translation tool and then edited for easier reading on the Electromagnetic Radiation Safety website.)
The following recommendations for distance learning at home are intended for children (up to 18 years of age) and their parents and grandparents and anyone who helps children study at home using digital technologies.
1. Children under 18 years of age who study at home should primarily use personal computers and laptops connected to the Internet via a wired network. When using a wireless network, the distance from the Wi-Fi router to the student should be at least 5 meters (16 feet).
2. The keyboard of the computer or laptop must be disinfected with an antiseptic every day before starting work. The monitor also needs to be treated with an antiseptic agent.
3. Before using the keyboard wash the hands of both the child and the adult who helps him or her.
4. To reduce the risk of visual impairment and musculoskeletal system disorders, provide a child working at a computer or laptop with a convenient workplace (the height of the table and chair should correspond to the height of the child), to exclude the illumination of the monitor screen.
5. The main light source at the child’s workplace should be located on the side of the screen (not behind the screen and not from the back of the person working with the screen). The brightness of the source should approximately correspond to the brightness of the screen.
6. The use of tablets for distance learning at home is acceptable for adolescents over 15 years old. Before using the tablet, you need to wash your hands and wipe the screen with a disinfectant (wet towel). The location of the Wi-Fi point should be at least 5 meters (16 feet) from the student’s workplace. The tablet is placed on the table on a stand at an angle of 30 degrees, the distance from the screen to the pupil’s eyes is at least 50 centimeters (20 inches). Do not use a laptop or tablet on your lap, in your hands, lying down and the like.
30 degree angle
7. For all age groups: completely avoid use of smartphones for educational purposes (reading, searching for information)
8. For all age groups: for reading or completing tasks, mainly use ordinary books and notebooks.
9. Children under 6 years old must not use any computer equipment for educational purposes at home.
10. Children 6 to 12 years of age should minimize the use of computer equipment for educational purposes at home. If it is necessary to use it, the total duration of all types of on-screen activities should not exceed 2 hours per day (including watching TV). The class schedule should be based on a one-to-three schedule for 6 to 8 year olds (for every 10 minutes of work 30 minutes of rest) and one-to-two schedule for ages over 8 and up to 12 years (for every 10 minutes of work – 20 minutes of rest).
11. For children 12 to 18 years of age, the following mode of computer use is recommended: “one to two” for 12 to 15 year olds (for every 30 minutes of work – 60 minutes of rest) and “one to one” for children for 16 to 18 year olds (for every 45 minutes of work – 45 minutes of rest).
The total duration of all types of screen activities for children 12 to 18 years of age, including watching TV, should not exceed 3.5–4 hours per day.
12. For the prevention of visual fatigue, perform gymnastics for the eyes during the break; for the prevention of general fatigue – a warm-up (tilts, body turns, squats, etc.)
13. If necessary to use headphones limit their continuous use: no more than an hour at a volume of not more than 60%.
14. Ventilate the room where the students study, before the start of classes (at least 15 minutes) and after each hour of work.
15. Do not use tablets and smartphones for educational purposes outdoors (in the park, on the playground and similar places).
The above recommendations are based upon research from multicenter studies on children’s health and safety while using digital educational technologies, materials from the Scientific Research Institute of Hygiene and Children’s Health “NRCM of Children’s Health,” and the Russian National Committee for Protection against Non-Ionizing Radiation, as well as recommendations from the World Health Organization and the best safety practices for children’s digital educational environments.
4. Children’s Health Defense
Russian Government Recommended Banning Wi-Fi and Cell Phones in Primary Schools
https://childrenshealthdefense.org/child-health-topics/known-culprit/electromagnetic/russian-government-bans-wi-fi-and-cell-phones-in-primary-schools/
By: Dafna Tachover
July 20, 2020
5. Environmental Health Trust
Russia Bans Wi-Fi and Smartphones For Distance Learning
https://ehtrust.org/russia-bans-wi-fi-and-smartphones-for-distance-learning/
Published: July 22, 2020
6. Warning signs, which can be downloaded: 1, 2, 3. These warning signs are helpful to warn those who are not aware of the harm created by Wi-Fi and smartphones on pregnant women’s foetus, and children between 0-16 years.
