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The claim that keeping a mobile phone near a pillow can cause death is completely false. Mobile phones emit low-level, non-ionising radiation, which isn’t harmful to human health at typical exposure levels
While there are minor safety concerns linked to overheating, there’s no scientific basis to suggest that mobile phone radiation can enter through the nose and cause fatal brain damage. (THIP Media)
A social media post claims keeping a mobile phone near your pillow can cause death due to harmful radiation affecting the brain. We have investigated this claim and can confirm it’s false.
The Claim
An Instagram post alleges that sleeping with a mobile phone near your pillow can be fatal. The post suggests this happens gradually because smartphones emit dangerous levels of radiation, which enter the body through the nose and wreak havoc on the brain.
Fact Check
Can mobile phone radiation cause death?
Absolutely not. Mobile phones emit non-ionising radiation, which is low-energy and doesn’t have enough power to damage DNA or cells directly. Think of it like this: non-ionising radiation, including radiofrequency (RF) waves (used in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), is like a gentle breeze. Ionising radiation (like X-rays), on the other hand, is a powerful storm. Non-ionising radiation doesn’t cause the kind of immediate or cumulative damage that could lead to death.
We spoke with Dr Almas Fatma, MBBS, Diploma in Family Medicine, PG in Digital Health, General Physician from Navi Mumbai, for her input on the risk of death from mobile phones. She says, “There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that radiation from mobile phones can cause death. Mobile phones emit low levels of non-ionising radiation, which is not strong enough to damage DNA or directly harm the brain. While excessive phone use may contribute to sleep disturbances or stress, it does not pose a fatal risk when kept near your pillow.”
Similar to this, there are claims that excessive smartphone usage can cause blindness, but this is not entirely true.
Does radiation from a mobile phone harm the brain?
No, there’s no solid scientific evidence to back this up. Reputable organisations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) haven’t found conclusive evidence linking mobile phone radiation to brain damage. Long-term studies on mobile phone use haven’t shown an increased risk of brain-related conditions either. Still, some social media posts claim that mobile phones can cause brain cancer. In fact, even though wireless technology has become much more common in the past 20 years, brain cancer cases have not increased.
We reached out to Dr Sreenivas Meenakshisundaram, Consultant Neurologist at MGM Healthcare, Chennai, for his expert take on the effect of smartphone usage on the brain. He clarifies, “People often worry about mobile phone radiation, but there’s no scientific proof that it harms the brain. The radiation from phones is very weak and doesn’t have the power to cause damage to brain cells. It’s not like the strong radiation used in medical scans or X-rays. In fact, large studies over the years haven’t found any clear link between phone use and brain disorders. So, while it’s good to take breaks from screens for your overall well-being, there’s no need to fear brain damage from your phone. However, keeping the phone near your bed can be more harmful for your sleep. The light from the screen can interfere with your natural circadian rhythm, leading to poor-quality sleep.”
We also got in touch with Dr Kunal Bahrani, Director and HOD of Neurology at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Faridabad, for his valuable insights on smartphone radiation and brain health. He says, “I understand why people are concerned, but mobile phone radiation isn’t something to be afraid of when it comes to brain health. Phones emit low-level radiation that doesn’t even come close to the type that can harm human tissue. It’s more like the energy from a Wi-Fi router or a microwave—not dangerous in everyday use. The brain is well-protected, and current research shows no link between mobile phone use and brain diseases. The real concern with phones is distraction, not radiation.”
Can radiation enter through the nose and harm the brain?
This is simply not how it works. Radiation from mobile phones spreads in all directions and is not concentrated enough to specifically target or penetrate through the nose to reach the brain. The human skull also acts as a natural barrier, reducing exposure levels to brain tissues.
We connected with Dr Pooja Khullar, Radiation Oncologist at Dharamshila Narayana Super Speciality Hospital, for her expert perspective on mobile phones and brain cancer. She explains, “Cell phones emit low-energy radiation called radiofrequency, which is too weak to harm our DNA. Older phones (2G, 3G, 4G) use frequencies between 0.7–2.7 GHz, while 5G phones may use up to 80 GHz. This radiation is much weaker than harmful types like X-rays, which can damage DNA and increase cancer risk. However, research so far shows no link between cell phone use and cancer.”
Similarly, we have also debunked claims that suggest blue light from smartphones can significantly harm the skin and cause premature ageing. However, this is not proven.
Are there any real risks of sleeping with a phone near a pillow?
Yes, but they’re not related to radiation. The main risk is the phone overheating, particularly if it’s charging under a pillow. Overheating can, in rare cases, cause fires. Using faulty chargers or damaged batteries makes this even more likely. So, it’s best to keep phones on a bedside table, not under your pillow.
THIP Media Take
The claim that keeping a mobile phone near a pillow can cause death is completely false. Mobile phones emit low-level, non-ionising radiation, which isn’t harmful to human health at typical exposure levels. While there are minor safety concerns linked to overheating, there’s no scientific basis to suggest that mobile phone radiation can enter through the nose and cause fatal brain damage. So, you can rest easy (though, perhaps best not directly under your pillow).
This story was originally published by THIP Media and republished by News18 as part of the Shakti Collective.
