Smartphone Use in Bed Increases Sleep Disorder Risk by 59% (and Maybe Your Sanity!)

 

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Experts are warning that smartphone use in bed raises the risk of a serious sleep disorder by a whopping 59%.

It turns out that this disorder affects one in three adults, with around half of those impacted reporting that it disrupts their daily functioning.

And there’s one habit that could be making things even worse: Using your phone in bed before sleeping.

Is Keeping a Mobile Phone Near While Sleeping Harmful?

A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry found that spending an hour on your phone in bed can more than double your risk of insomnia.

Not only that, but it can reduce your total sleep time by around 24 minutes per night.

This research comes from the Norwegian 2022 Student’s Health and Wellbeing Survey, where over 45,000 people aged 18 to 28 were asked about their bedtime habits.

It was found that those who used screens before sleep experienced significant disruptions in their sleep patterns.

Gunnhild Johnsen Hjetland, the lead author of the study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, said:

 

“The type of screen activity does not appear to matter as much as the overall time spent using screens in bed.”

 

 

How Smartphone Usage at Bedtime Affects Sleep Quality

Screen time delays sleep by taking up time that would otherwise be spent resting.

And it’s not just about scrolling social media—researchers found no significant difference between different types of screen use. Whether you’re watching videos, texting, or gaming, it all contributes to poor sleep quality.

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Can We Use a Phone While Lying on a Bed?

If you struggle to fall asleep at night, it might be worth leaving your phone for the morning.

Hjetland suggests a few ways to get back into a healthy sleep routine:

• Reduce screen time before bed, ideally stopping at least 30 to 60 minutes before sleep.
• Disable notifications to minimise night-time disruptions.
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine that doesn’t involve screens.

I Slept on My Phone—Will I Get Cancer?

There’s a lot of debate about whether radiation from mobile phones can increase the risk of cancer. While no definitive evidence proves that sleeping with your phone causes cancer, experts still recommend keeping your phone away from your body while sleeping—just to be safe.

Effects of Sleeping with a Phone Near Your Head

Keeping a mobile phone near your head while sleeping isn’t just about radiation concerns. It can also:

• Disrupt your sleep due to notifications and alerts.
• Reduce melatonin levels, making it harder to fall asleep.
• Increase stress levels, especially if you’re constantly checking messages.

Not Enough Sleep? It’s Hurting Your Daily Life

Lack of sleep isn’t just about feeling tired—it has real consequences.

Studies show that people who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.

Experts recommend that adults get around 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night for optimal brain function during the day.