Children love to bring things home from school. They are excited to show off good grades, share gossip from the playground, and work on new projects. Unfortunately, among the things they bring home are things we could all do without: germs, microbes, and bacteria.
Kids learn with their hands, and it’s almost impossible to stop them from touching all the exciting things around them, hugging their friends and sharing school supplies. And in today’s world, those supplies include iPads and Chrome Book laptops.
Electronic devices in the classroom such as Smart Boards and Smart Tables have become an integral part of how we educate students. But due to their hands-on nature, they are also germ magnets. They are touched by numerous children throughout the day, and while teachers are diligent about cleaning the surface between classes, it’s not always enough.
A recent study by a consumer watch group found that cell phones and tablets are teaming with Staphylococcus aureus, usually found in the nose, and in skin infections. At the University of Surrey, students imprinted mobile phones in petri dishes and the results were shocking. The mobile devices were swarming with bacteria. Our children, who are encouraged to share toys and interact with their friends are bringing these germs home to share with the rest of the family.