Here are the reasons that might prompt you to think twice before connecting your phone to the charger under the covers, according to a report by the “Do It Yourselves” website:
1- Fire risk
When you charge your phone on soft surfaces like a bed or pillows, you create the perfect conditions for it to overheat. These surfaces act as an insulator that traps the heat generated by the phone during charging. As the temperature rises, the risk of bed linen catching fire increases.
2- Sleep disorders
Not only does charging your phone in bed pose a fire risk, it also affects the quality of your sleep. Having a charged phone near you may lead to a number of sleep disorders, as the desire to see “just one notification” may turn into hours of staying up late. Not only does this reduce sleep hours, it also exposes you to blue light emitted from the phone screen.
3- Exposure to electromagnetic fields
Although the long-term effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields from cell phones are still debated, many experts advise caution. Charging your phone in bed means staying close to these areas all night. Some studies indicate possible links between exposure to some health problems, including sleep disturbances, and even an increased risk of some types of cancer.
4- Battery and device life
Many people may not realize that the way you charge your phone directly affects the battery life and the lifespan of the device. Charging the phone overnight often results in it remaining plugged in for a long time after the battery reaches 100%. Although modern phones stop charging when full, continuing to connect them to power may cause gradual deterioration of the battery.
To maintain the health of the battery, it is preferable for the charging percentage to remain between 20% and 80%, because this range reduces the stress resulting from full discharge or continuous full charging.
5- Mental health and digital separation
The bedroom should be a place of rest and relaxation, not a center for digital stress. Having a phone next to the bed makes it easy to scroll through work messages, social media sites, or troubling news before bed, which can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety, and even symptoms of depression. Also, being constantly connected to the digital world can make it difficult to relax and prepare for a restful sleep.
6- Physical comfort and safety
The danger of charging a phone in bed is not limited to the possibility of fire, but it may also cause physical safety risks, as tangled charging cords can become a nuisance and may even pose a suffocation hazard, especially for children or people who move a lot during sleep.
