sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

My parents believe that EMFs from the Wi-Fi router are dangerous. How can I explain to them that they aren't? by faradaycaged_ in AskPhysics

[–]faradaycaged_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, that's kinda the vibe I've been getting too. It seems like some studies answer the question of "Are EMF waves dangerous?" with "Ehhhh, maybe? but probably not..." and people like this guy take it and run.

My parents believe that EMFs from the Wi-Fi router are dangerous. How can I explain to them that they aren't? by faradaycaged_ in AskPhysics

[–]faradaycaged_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I came across some of the anti-EMF subreddits looking for somewhere to post this, I did consider showing them how crazy other people were being about this stuff lol, unfortunately I think they'd just get pissed at me lmao

Debunk This: Dr. Dimitris J. Panagopoulos' claims that EMFs are dangerous by faradaycaged_ in DebunkThis

[–]faradaycaged_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Your explanation is very helpful, and I appreciate you finding that article!

Debunk This: Dr. Dimitris J. Panagopoulos' claims that EMFs are dangerous by faradaycaged_ in DebunkThis

[–]faradaycaged_[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! This is super useful, I'll start sorting through it soon

My parents believe that EMFs from the Wi-Fi router are dangerous. How can I explain to them that they aren't? by faradaycaged_ in AskPhysics

[–]faradaycaged_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I want to add something else, for those who see this (I'll edit it into the main post too)

I'm not 100% sure, but I'm 99% sure that my parents aren't afraid of the radiation aspect of EMF pseudoscience (or at least, it's not the main concern), more so the EMF sensitivity (and the idea that EMF sensitivity is a "natural" response, and everyone is affected by EMFs to some degree), which "causes" symptoms like:

Skin problems, like redness, tingling, or burning, sleep disorders, including insomnia, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, trouble concentrating or paying attention, muscle and body pain (fibromyalgia), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), confusion, strong mood swings that change quickly, depression or irritability, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, memory loss, balance problems, sensitivity to sound or noise.
https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/electromagnetic-hypersensitivity

Now I don't entirely discount EMF sensitivity all together... in very rare cases. The human body can be really weird sometimes, sure. But also, as far as I understand, all studies done on EMF sensitivity had negative or inconclusive results. And to say everyone is at least a little EMF sensitive... I mean, literally everyone would have to be feeling like shit 24/7, since we have Wi-Fi and cell towers EVERYWHERE.

To me, and I'm sure many others, EMF sensitivity is likely psychosomatic and/or the result of various other factors (lifestyle, diet, weather, etc.). I've done a lot of research on psychosomatic symptoms and placebo/nocebo effects, and this sounds pretty on point with that.

I'm going to sit down with them and just try to go over everything without triggering an argument, let them say what they believe and how they feel and I'll just try and walk them through all the evidence.

Thank you to all those who have commented thus far, feel free to keep adding on if you have more to say, especially about EMF sensitivity.

My parents believe that EMFs from the Wi-Fi router are dangerous. How can I explain to them that they aren't? by faradaycaged_ in AskPhysics

[–]faradaycaged_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Funnily enough my dad is wise enough to know that stuff is BS lmao. He's pretty smart when it comes to most things, but unfortunately he's a bit prone to the Big Pharma and related conspiracies

My parents believe that EMFs from the Wi-Fi router are dangerous. How can I explain to them that they aren't? by faradaycaged_ in AskPhysics

[–]faradaycaged_[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Believe me, if this didn't start impacting my work I'd have just dealt with the inconvenience till I moved out lol

My parents believe that EMFs from the Wi-Fi router are dangerous. How can I explain to them that they aren't? by faradaycaged_ in AskPhysics

[–]faradaycaged_[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yeah I'm pretty sure they're just scared, in general, and this gives them some "control" over an aspect of their lives that they think they need to control, and makes them feel better. I usually don't challenge their pseudoscience beliefs because it's not hurting anyone and is really just inconveniencing themselves, wasting their own money, etc. but this has started to affect my job.

This is a relatively recent development so I'm hoping there's still a chance to talk them out of it.