Tablets have become some of the most popular tech gadgets, and they’re also one of the most common sources of EMF exposure. Statistics report that 1.28 billion people are using tablets around the world as of 2023. With that many people using tablets, it’s crucial to understand the effects of making these devices a part of your daily life.
The first digital computer, known as ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), consumed 1800 square ft of space. A modern tablet computer has hundreds of times more computing power"Power" in a scientific context refers to the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. In simpler terms, it's how fast something is using energy. For example,... More than ENIAC, and it fits right in your hand. As we advance in the modern world, tech gadgets are being designed to be super portable and convenient. Due to this, more and more people are purchasing tablets.
In this post, I’ll address questions that usually don’t get answered by tablet manufacturers, like how prolonged use of tablets contributes to unwanted health changes. We’ll also look at how to protect yourself from the harmful effects of EMF – without having to give up the use of your gadgets – later in this post.
Do Tablets Give Off Harmful EMF?
There are multiple kinds of tablets. For example, we have the iPad series by Apple, e-Readers like the Kindle by Amazon, or the Galaxy Tab series by Samsung.
They serve different functions. One may be superior or inferior to the other in many ways, but all these devices have one thing in common – the ability to connect to a network. And anything that connects wireless is a source of electromagnetic radiationElectromagnetic radiation refers to the waves of the electromagnetic field, propagating through space, carrying electromagnetic radiant energy. It includes a wide range of electromagnetic waves, from very long radio waves... More.
So, yes. Tablets emit EMF radiation"Radiation" in the context of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) refers to the process by which energy is emitted and transmitted through space or a material medium in the form of electromagnetic... More.
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They emit the same kind of EMF as devices like cell phones, smartwatches, and laptops do.
However, the network is not the only source of EMF in tablets. There is also extremely low frequencyDefinition and Characteristics Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) refers to the lower end of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum with frequencies from 3 Hz to 300 Hz. This range lies below the... More radiation, commonly known as ELF-EMF.
ELF is created by the flow of current inside the tablet’s circuitry. In fact, ELF is present in all devices that are powered by electricity. In general, however, the ELF emissions from portable wireless devices are not as strong as the EMF used to communicate with wireless network. That kind of EMF is known as RF, or radiofrequency.
Although not at a similar level, both ELF and RF carry many health risks.
Difference Between Tablets and Cell Phones
Cell phones and tablets both emit ELF as they have electrical circuitry. However, the type of radiofrequency EMF these two devices emit may be different depending on the type of tablet.
Most tablets rely on WiFi and BluetoothFrom the perspective of someone concerned about the health effects of electromagnetic radiation, understanding Bluetooth radiation is crucial, especially in our increasingly wireless world. Bluetooth technology, ubiquitous in our daily... More connections to function. WiFi and Bluetooth are both designed to communicate over a significantly shorter range than regular cell connections. Because of this, the tablets don’t need to produce EMF in massive amounts to establish a connection.
On the other hand, cell phones use a cellular network like 2G, 3G, and 4G. 5G"5G" refers to the fifth generation of wireless communication technology, a step up from the previous 4G, 3G, and 2G networks. It's designed to provide faster internet speeds, more reliable... More is also being introduced by several companies now, and by predictive analysis, a huge number of people will be using 5G within just a few years.
When in a cellular network, the phone needs to generate a massive amount of EMF to be able to connect with the nearest tower.
Sometimes the nearest network tower stands miles away from the device. But cell phones are designed to provide you a usable connection even in low network areas. For this, phones emit more EMF than usual to communicate with the tower and give you a stable connection.
A standard cell phone has enough power to reach a cell tower up to 45 miles away.
In comparison, a WiFi router operating on a standard 2.4 GHz band can reach up to 150 feet (46 m) indoors and 300 feet (92 m) outdoors.
Bluetooth has an even shorter range with a maximum reach of up to 90 feet.
So, tablets and portable devices that use only WiFi or Bluetooth emit much less EMF than cell phones.
But what about tablets that enable cellular connectivity? For example, what’s known as a ‘calling tablet’, or the Apple iPad? Because these can use a cellular network either to connect to the internet or to make calls, the level of EMF exposure will be similar to that of a cell phone user.
And even if you avoid using cellular connections, this doesn’t mean that there are no health effects of using tablets. Even though WiFi and Bluetooth have a smaller range and non-cellular tablets emit less EMF than cell phones, the volume they emit is enough to initiate adverse health issues.
Tablet Usage Health Issues (EMF-Induced)
Hundreds of experiments and thousands of peer-reviewed scientific journal articles tell us that prolonged exposure to any human-made EMF can result in adverse health effects.
The possible health effects of EMF include:
- Insomnia
- Immune System Deficiency
- Infertility
- Brain Tumours
- Mental Health Issues
- Electrohypersensitivity
- Cancer
This list goes on.
Like cell phones, people hold tablets close to their body while using them. This is logical as tablets are basically cell phones with a much larger screen. But experts highly recommend against doing this, as the power of EMF is strongest near the source. And exposure to EMF of that strength can be dangerous.
We have a separate page discussing the effects of EMF on humans, animals, and nature in detail.
Tablet Usage Health Issues (Non-EMF-Induced)
Apart from EMF-induced health issues, prolonged and incorrect tablet use also has several physical risks.
For example, tablet users are known to press a lot harder on the screen keyboard because of the lack of tactile feedback. And the users sometimes strain their wrist, fingers, and forearms doing this.
The keyboard on the tablet is also much smaller than a laptop, so it requires more precision. Medical experts predict that tablet users are prone to developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or CTS, is the condition where the “tunnel” of bones and ligaments in the wrist narrows down. The narrowed tunnel pinches a nerve and causes a tingly feeling or numbness in the hand, especially in the thumb and first three fingers.
But there is a way to prevent this from happening. You can purchase a travel keyboard and connect it with your tablet whenever you need to type. Travel keyboards can help save you from straining your wrist, fingers, and forearm.
Prolonged use of tablets can cause you to have a bad posture, and it also puts a lot of strain on your eyes. Bad posture initiates issues like neck pain and back pain, which can be very uncomfortable. Similarly, looking at a tablet for an extended period can cause low vision, teary, itchy, and red eyes.
To prevent this from happening, you can purchase a tablet stand. Using a tablet stand, you can keep the tablet further away so you can sit with proper posture, especially while watching something on your tablet for a long period. Increasing the distance between your head and your device is better for your eyes too.
Tablet and iPad Radiation Levels
All smart tech manufacturers are required to follow the SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) limits.
SAR refers to how much EMF radiation your tissue absorbs while using an electronic device. Meaning, if the device emits more EMF than the SAR limits allow, the government considers it harmful for consumers.
SAR is a highly debated topic within the EMF shieldingEMF shielding refers to the practice of reducing the electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure in a particular area by blocking or altering the electromagnetic waves with barriers made of conductive or... More community, as SAR safety values exclude 90% of tech consumers when it comes to EMF tolerance. This is because SAR limits are based on the EMF absorption capability of a test dummy called SAM (Specific Anthropomorphic Mannequin) that mimics the physical structure of a 6’2″ (188.97 cms) male weighing 220 lbs (99.79 KG).
We have a separate post explaining SAR in detail.
Radiation Levels of Popular Tablets in Accordance with SAR:
SAR Values are represented by watts per kilogram or W/kg.
| Tablet | Body SAR (USA) |
| Apple iPad Mini 2019 | 1.19 W/kg |
| Apple iPad Pro 12.9 | 1.19 W/kg |
| Apple iPad Pro 11 | 1.19 W/kg |
| Apple iPad Air 2019 | 1.19 W/kg |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 | 0.70 W/kg |
| Apple iPad 10.5 2019 | 1.19 W/kg |
| Microsoft Surface Go | 0.50 W/kg |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S5E | 0.562 W/kg |
| Microsoft Surface Pro 7 2019 | 1.58 W/kg |
| Google Pixel Slate | 1.32 W/kg |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 inch | 0.917 W/kg |
| Amazon Fire HD 10 | 1.32 W/kg |
| Huawei Media Pad T3 10 inch | 0.32 W/kg |
| Amazon Fire HD 8 | 1.32 W/kg |
SAR ratings are useful. But they’re not “accurate”.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that the SAR rating of a device is actually the precise amount of radiation you will be exposed to from your device. That’s because there are many problems with how SAR is used in regulations, as I discuss in this video.
How to Protect Yourself Against EMF Emitted by Tablets
One thing you can do to lower your EMF exposure is to turn off your tablet or put it in flight mode when you’re not using it. For example, e-readers like the Kindle can be read offline – so you only need to connect them to the network when you want to update them.
But of course there are many times where using your tablet offline simply won’t be possible. For those times, we can now offer a solution: the SYB Tablet Pad.
The Tablet Pad utilizes the same underlying technology as the SYB Laptop Pad. Laptops and tablets emit the same kind of EMF. However, the level of emission is slightly lower in tablets due to their size.
Our SYB Laptop Pad has been in production for a long time, and over the years it has helped tens of thousands of laptop users around the world reduce their EMF exposure.
Feedback for the SYB Laptop Pad has been overwhelmingly positive and, as a result, we’ve had a lot of demand for a similar solution for tablets.
The SYB Tablet Pad has been designed to answer that demand. It is a powerful EMF shield that you can take with you wherever you go.
The SYB Tablet Pad blocks both ELF and RF radiation. And it works with iPads, tablets, Nintendo Switches, e-readers, and all portable devices. As with all our shielding products, the SYB Tablet Pad is designed to shield only on one side, so it doesn’t interfere with your device’s reception or battery life.
The SYB Tablet Pad is Scientifically Proven and Easy to Use
Like all SYB products, the SYB Tablet Pad is scientifically proven. This means it went through rigorous testing in a laboratory under different conditions, as created and tested by seasoned professionals.
The SYB Tablet Pad deflects up to 99% of your device’s radiation and prevents it from entering your body. It even works on 5G. We’ve tested it to be efficient in shielding EMF operating on a frequency"Frequency" in the context of electricity, Electromagnetic Fields (EMF), and wireless communication, can be thought of as the number of times something happens in a second. Specifically, it refers to... More of up to 20 GHz.
Even better, the SYB Tablet Pad is super easy to use. You just need to place your tablet on the Pad, and the shielding begins. As long as the Tablet Pad is between the device and your body, you are protected. Its ease-of-use is one more reason why the Tablet Pad is so great for kids.
How Does the SYB Tablet Pad Work?
Since the Faraday Cage’s invention by scientist Michael FaradayMichael Faraday: Pioneer of Electromagnetism and the Faraday Cage Michael Faraday, born on September 22, 1791, in Newington Butts, Surrey, England, was a brilliant scientist and experimentalist who made groundbreaking... More, we understand that there are materials highly conductive to electricity and magnetics.
So, using those highly conductive materials, manufacturers can create EMF shielding products.
The SYB Tablet Pad uses the same scientific principle.
Specifically, we’ve created it using ferromagnetic steel. When placed in front of an EMF emitting device, the SYB Tablet Pad deflects the EMF in the opposite direction. This works like a shield, preventing EMF from entering your body.
SYB Sling Bag
The SYB Tablet Pad is the perfect solution for protecting yourself while you use your device. Simply put it beneath your tablet when you use it, so your lower body is protected from EMF. But what about when you’re carrying your tablet around?
Transporting our devices is always an issue, as we need to keep them close to our bodies – whether it’s in a pocket or a bag.
There are two ways to solve this.
The first is to use the SYB Tablet Pad by placing it in your bag between your tablet and your body.
Depending on the style of bag you use, however, there’s a chance that the Tablet Pad will get displaced when you move, creating an unshielded space from which EMF can leak and enter your body.
If you have a tight bag and are sure that the tablet pad will not displace while moving, this won’t be an issue. But, if that is not the case, then another solution is the SYB Sling Bag.
Another of our latest developments, the SYB Sling Bag is designed to hold your tablet and other devices while you’re on the move.
It’s also made with highly conductive materials and is designed to be both functional and stylish. When you use the SYB Sling Bag, the shielding is the bag – so you eliminate the risk of your protection getting displaced because of your movement.
FAQ
Do Tablets Emit Radiation?
Yes, tablets do emit EMF radiation. There are two kinds of EMF that tablets emit, ELF (extremely low frequency) and RF (radio frequencyRadio Frequency (or RF), a subset of EMF, encompasses electromagnetic wave frequencies ranging from about 3 kilohertz (kHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). These frequencies are extensively used in modern wireless... More). ELF-EMF is created by the movement of electricity in the tablet’s circuitry. RF-EMF comes into effect when you connect your tablet to networks such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular.
Do iPads cause health problems?
Yes. Research shows that the EMF emitted by tablets and iPads can initiate a number of health problems, including sleep issues, Immune System Deficiency, Infertility, Brain Tumours, and even chronic diseases like cancer.
Can tablets and iPads give you cancer?
The World Health Organization classifies EMF as a Class 2B carcinogen. Meaning, prolonged exposure to EMF has the potential to cause cancer. Apart from that, thousands of established scientists have theorized, experimented, and observed the adverse health effects of EMF exposure.
Do tablets give off radiation even when switched off?
No. To generate ELF-EMF, tablets need to be switched on and using power. And to generate RF-EMF, tablets have to be connected to a network.
Is it bad to sleep with an iPad?
Yes. Health professionals recommend against sleeping with your electronic devices like tablets and cell phones.
In fact, you should not bring any electronic gadgets to your bedroom. It causes stress and sleeping issues, which is harmful to your health.
What materials can block EMF?
All metals are EMF conductive, but only some of them are powerful enough to shield EMF properly. The commonly used metals in EMF shielding products are silver, aluminum, copper, and steel.
