Health experts reveal why placing mobile phones in common spots like pockets or under pillows could increase risks of sleep disruption, fertility problems, and even cancer. Find out the five places to avoid keeping your phone.

Everyday Habits with Hidden Health Risks: Where You Should Never Keep Your Phone


Mobile phones have become inseparable from our daily lives, yet growing scientific research suggests that the way we store or carry these devices could be quietly harming our health.

Concerns have long been raised over the potential links between mobile phone radiation and health issues such as brain cancer, reproductive problems, and sleep disturbances. While completely eliminating phone use may be unrealistic, experts advise that simple changes to daily habits can reduce the risks.

Here are five common places where keeping your phone could have unintended health consequences.

Sleeping with Your Phone Under the Pillow


For many, placing a phone under the pillow or beside the bed is routine. However, health experts strongly discourage this habit.

Aside from the obvious sleep disruptions caused by late-night notifications, the blue light emitted from screens has been shown to interfere with the body’s production of melatonin—the hormone that regulates sleep.

Chronic exposure to blue light, particularly at night, can lead to sleep disorders and long-term health issues.

Additionally, mobile phones generate electromagnetic fields (EMF), which may contribute to headaches or discomfort. More worryingly, there have been reports globally of phones overheating and even catching fire when left under pillows for extended periods, where heat cannot dissipate.

The Trouser Pocket Danger


Slipping a phone into your pocket may seem convenient, but it may not be as harmless as it appears.

Numerous studies have found that radiation levels from mobile phones can increase significantly when kept close to the body—especially in tight spaces like trouser pockets.

Experts warn that prolonged exposure to EMF in this area may contribute to fertility issues, damage DNA structures, and even increase the risk of tumours.

Further research suggests that keeping a phone near the pelvis for extended periods could weaken the surrounding bones.

Charging Overnight: A Costly Habit


Leaving your phone on charge overnight may not directly harm your health, but it could shorten your device's lifespan, increase your energy bills, and negatively impact the environment.

Overcharging generates excess heat, which deteriorates battery performance over time. As energy consumption rises, so does your electricity bill, contributing to unnecessary energy waste.

Experts advise unplugging devices once fully charged and avoiding the habit of leaving phones charging for hours unattended.

Small Changes, Big Impact


While mobile phones remain an essential part of modern life, adjusting where and how you keep them can help reduce potential health risks. Avoid keeping phones close to your body for extended periods, particularly while sleeping or carrying them in pockets.

Instead, consider using bags or designated holders, and practise safe charging habits to protect both your device and your wellbeing.

As research into mobile phone radiation continues, experts stress that prevention through awareness remains the most effective approach.