Let’s be honest—most of us are guilty of sleeping with our phone right next to us. Whether it’s for a quick scroll through social media before bed or simply to use it as an alarm clock, it’s usually within reach. However, this habit isn’t ideal for our health. A survey found that 50 million people in the UK sleep with their phone nearby, with 74 percent unable to leave it in a different room.
The blue light from phones can trick the brain into thinking it’s daytime, which makes falling asleep harder and can lower sleep quality. While we’ve talked about the hygiene concerns of keeping a phone near the bed, what about the scientific perspective?
Mobile phones emit low levels of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Although there’s no evidence that these fields are harmful, some people are concerned about potential long-term effects. Those with such concerns often opt for wired headphones over Bluetooth and switch their phone to Airplane Mode when they’re not using it.
Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD, took to TikTok to share tips on lowering EMF exposure for those who keep their phone by the bed. “If you’re worried about EMF energy near your head—which studies show can affect children more than adults,” he explained.
He recommended using a Faraday pouch, which he uses himself, to block EMFs more effectively than Airplane Mode. Made from conductive materials, a Faraday pouch can shield against electromagnetic interference and is often used to protect credit cards or car keys from remote theft.
Alternatively, Dr. Wachler suggested that if a pouch isn’t an option, simply turning the phone off works too. Social media users responded to his advice with comments like “This is actually a thing?” and “Great tip, especially with 5G,” while others proposed just placing the phone a bit farther away from the bed.