A tech expert has warned Nigerians to stop the habit of sleeping with their mobile phones under their pillows, saying it could pose serious health and safety risks.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, Akin Ibitoye, a technology advisor at TMB Tech, said the dangers of sleeping with phone under pillow go beyond just poor sleep. He explained that smartphones can disrupt sleep patterns, cause mental stress, and even start fires due to overheating.
“Don’t sleep with your phone under your pillow,” Ibitoye said. “You may think it’s harmless, but it actually affects your body more than you realize.”
He explained that smartphones give off blue light, which can mess up the body’s natural sleep cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm. “Your body needs darkness to know it’s time to sleep. When you’re staring at your phone at night or keeping it close, it affects how well you rest,” he added.
Phones Can Overheat and Cause Fires
Ibitoye also highlighted the physical risks of sleeping with phones under pillows or blankets, saying the lithium-ion batteries in smartphones can overheat and even explode. “There are videos online showing phones that caught fire. It’s not a joke. These devices heat up faster when they’re covered and have no ventilation,” he warned.
Citing the dangers of sleeping with phone under pillow, he advised people to put their phones on airplane mode if they need to keep them nearby while sleeping. “If you can’t turn it off, at least use airplane mode. You won’t get calls or notifications, but your alarm will still work,” he said.
Better Sleep Without the Buzz
Aside from the fire risk, Ibitoye said that having phones nearby can lead to a bad habit known as “doomscrolling” — endlessly browsing social media late into the night. “You plan to check Instagram for five minutes, and next thing you know, it’s been two hours. That affects your sleep and your mood,” he said.
He recommended returning to regular alarm clocks to avoid the temptation of checking phones late at night. He also suggested using earphones and keeping devices away from the head while sleeping to reduce exposure to electromagnetic signals.
In conclusion, Ibitoye emphasized that the dangers of sleeping with phone under pillow are real and should not be taken lightly. “This tiny device we rely on every day can cause more harm than good if we don’t use it wisely,” he said.
