The majority of today’s teenagers are constantly glued to their cell phones, so much so that some teens actually sleep with their cell phones. While it may be easy to fall asleep while scrolling through Instagram or sending Snaps, it is not safe. Sleeping with a cell phone allows hours upon hours of radiation to be emitted into your system. The harmful effects of sleeping with devices are not evident short-term, but have an extremely dangerous long-term possibility that is easily prevented.
Even if a cell phone is not in use, it is still constantly radiating electromagnetic waves since phones continuously connect with radio transmissions while they are on. One of the biggest worries about the incredible use of cell phones in general is the electromagnetic emissions that can cause cancer. Imagine sleeping for hours with a burning hot carcinogen right next to your head. Not only is the radiation a concern, but the sheer heat of a charging cell phone can create a risk of burning the sleeping person.
Students already lose enough sleep due to the sheer amount of homework. Interruptions from your phone in the night does not help with this. According to “The Independent,” researchers have discovered that using cell phones before sleeping can delay reaching the deep stages of sleep, which function to restore us physically and mentally. Deep sleep typically occurs after 90 minutes after first falling asleep and lasts for ten minutes, gradually increasing each 90 minute cycle. The light given off by devices makes people take longer to reach deep sleep. By not receiving the proper amount of deep sleep, many people experience a run-down feeling throughout the day. The lack of sleep is additionally exacerbated by the radiation emitted by electronic devices. This radiation also decreases the user’s ability to relax and fall asleep, and instead makes them more alert.
Experts in this field advise people to sleep with their cell phones three feet away at minimum. The best way to safeguard your sleep is by simply turning your phone off. If that is not an option, another alternative is to activate airplane mode while sleeping to reduce the amount of electromagnetic waves emitted. Either way, your sleep is best left uncooked.
