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Experts Warn Heavy Backpacks; Fairfax Reinstates Textbooks Amid Safety Concerns

8/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

United States experts say children’s backpacks exceed safe weight limits and urge parents to lighten them.
Dr. Sadika Kendi warns a fall with a backpack can worsen injuries and says children should remove bag in moving vehicles.
Fairfax County, Virginia, is bringing back textbooks after a backlash, prompting parents like Alix Fetch to question carrying both books and laptops.

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Story summary

United States experts say children’s backpacks exceed safe weight limits and urge parents to lighten them.
Dr. Sadika Kendi warns a fall with a backpack can worsen injuries and says children should remove bag in moving vehicles.
Fairfax County, Virginia, is bringing back textbooks after a backlash, prompting parents like Alix Fetch to question carrying both books and laptops.