In my practice I see a lot of parents very dedicated to feeding their children healthy food and ferrying them to after school sports. More and more I’m also seeing parents going the extra mile requesting comprehensive stool tests to really dig down into what’s driving their child’s bloating/moods/fussy eating.

And all of this can really help our kids to thrive. However, it’s not the whole story.

I think there is an almost universal blind spot when it comes to health; the constant exposure to EMFs through the phones, computers, Apple watches and cell towers surrounding us.

These invisible electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) are easy to overlook since we can’t see them, smell them and the subject doesn’t tend to trend on Tik Tok. Being aware of their negative health effects is deeply inconvenient since we rely on tech for almost every aspect of our daily lives.

However, I personally think there is enough research now to put down our phones and take notice. We have been told that these frequencies are safe, but there are literally thousands of studies now indicating they are harmful. (1) 

A new 2025 WHO report examined 52 studies on EMFs and cancer. The results? ‘High certainty’ evidence of increased risk of glioma (brain cancer) and the authors recommended reclassifying wireless radiation from ‘possible’ carcinogen (Group 2B) to ‘known carcinogen.’

Sadly, statistics are supporting the evidence; brain tumours are now the leading cause of cancer death in children, previously it was leukaemia. (2)

We have to ask why these cases are rising in young children? What has changed?

Children are now exposed to WiFi almost constantly – even during sleep. The research also shows that EMFs effects children more profoundly. According to the International Agency for the Research on Cancer (IARC) children absorb up to ten times more radiation from mobile phones than adults; they absorb twice as much in their heads and ten times more radiation in their bone marrow. (3) This might be a contributing factor to the rise in cancers we are now seeing; a 2008 study from the University Hospital in Orebro, Sweden showed, in 2008, that mobile phone use raises children’s risk of brain cancer five-fold. (4)

It was around the same time that Joel Moskowitz began investigating the tumour risks of mobile phones. Prior to 2008, the UC Berkeley researcher had focused on tobacco-related health issues. In 2020 Moskowitz published a review of 46 case-control studies. The main findings? 1,000 hours of lifetime mobile phone use, or about 17 minutes per day over a 10- year period, is associated with a statistically significant 60% increase in brain cancer. (5) (6)

It’s worth putting this into perspective; despite an increase in children’s cancers since 1990 they still represent less than one per cent of total cases. (7) However, in an age where children learn to ‘swipe’ before they wipe and when up to 40 per cent of children have an iPad by age 2 (8) – these figures should at least provide pause for thought.

While it might be easier to bury your own head in the sand, or dismiss talk of Wi-Fi dangers as a conspiracy theory, ultimately if there are simple measures you can take to protect yourself and your family without compromising convenience, then why not implement them?

5 Ways to Reduce Your Exposure:

1. Turn your Wi-Fi router off at night – Since the time we spend in bed accounts for a significant amount of time we spend in the home, this simple step can dramatically reduce your family’s exposure.
2. Distance is your friend – Instead of holding your phone next to your head when making a call, use speaker phone and keep your phone at a safe distance throughout the day (ie not in your pocket, right next to your body or placed in a baby carrier or pram). Ensure the router in your house is not located where small children will be spending a lot of time.
3. Ditch the Air Pods – These expose your head to constant wireless EMFs through their Bluetooth technology. Opt for regular wired headphones and switch your phone to airplane mode before tuning in – all you need to do is download the content first.
4. WiFi free games –  There are many of these now available. On a recent trip to Sydney my son enjoyed playing Snake and Chess with the services switched off. I also ensure my son never plays with the iPad on his lap, always propped on a table.
5. Invest in a protection – For a decade I have used EMF blocking technology and recently I invested in Blushield technology. Unlike most EMF protection, which aims to block EMFs, Blushield produces its own field, based on the patterns of nature. Our cells preferentially respond to this more biocompatible field, rather than the EMFs around us. I have also used WaveWall phone covers for many years which are a more affordable option.

If you are interested in diving into the latest research I suggest you check out the Environmental Health Trust, founded by researcher Devra Davis. On social media you will find the likes of Dr Paul Saladino (2.9M followers) and others now sharing ways to reduce your exposure to EMFs and why it’s so important.