“Keep It Off the Pillow”: Technology Advisor Warns of Serious Risks Tied to Sleeping Beside Mobile Phones

 

Mobile phones have become so entrenched in everyday life that many people can't imagine sleeping without them nearby. But a technology expert has sounded a stern warning about the potential hazards of this bedtime habit.

Akin Ibitoye, a technology advisor at TMB Tech, has cautioned against keeping mobile devices too close during sleep—particularly under pillows or beside beds. During his appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Ibitoye highlighted both the physical and psychological risks associated with this common practice.

According to him, many individuals may be unaware of the silent toll that close phone proximity at night takes on their health. From disrupted sleep cycles to dangerous overheating incidents, the tech expert laid out a series of concerns that should prompt a rethinking of how we use gadgets after dark.

Many mobile phone users place their devices under pillows out of habit or perceived necessity. Some do it to keep the alarm close, while others are tethered to their phones due to work demands or emergency concerns. Ibitoye, however, emphasized that this could be a recipe for disaster.

"Do not sleep with your gadget under your pillow," he warned. "When you sleep with your devices under your pillow, it actually affects you. You don’t know."

He explained that the lithium-ion batteries commonly used in smartphones can heat up considerably, especially when the device is not allowed to ventilate properly—such as when covered by bedding or cushions. In extreme cases, this heat buildup can trigger battery explosions, leading to injuries and even house fires.

“These batteries, lithium-ion batteries, you notice they don’t allow them on aeroplanes for good reasons. This tiny marvel of technology can explode at any time,” Ibitoye noted. “If you keep your phone under your pillow, your phone actually gets heated up.”

Beyond the danger of explosion, he expressed concern over how smartphones negatively impact rest. One of the most overlooked issues, according to Ibitoye, is how phones contribute to sleep deprivation by interfering with the body's natural sleep-wake cycles.

The human body relies on cues from the environment, especially light, to regulate its internal clock—known as the circadian rhythm. Exposure to the blue light emitted from phone screens can trick the brain into staying alert, even when it’s time to rest.

“These gadgets disrupt our circadian rhythm. That’s how, when it’s dark, your body gets the signal it needs to sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, there are quite a number of things that even medical practitioners have said could result negatively back to your body,” he explained.

He also touched on the all-too-familiar behavior of “doomscrolling”—the endless, passive consumption of content, often late at night. “You just want to check Instagram for about five minutes, but you end up spending two hours,” Ibitoye said, referencing a habit that’s become increasingly common in today’s always-online culture.

As an alternative, he encouraged Nigerians to consider going back to the basics. “Before mobile phones, we had alarm clocks. The alarm clock would only sound when the time is right,” he said, emphasizing that such devices don’t come with the intrusive notifications, vibrations, or glowing screens that accompany smartphones.

Ibitoye was equally concerned about the radiation phones emit, even when they appear inactive. He pointed out that even in standby mode, phones continue to send and receive signals, which can interfere with the brain’s natural electrical patterns.

“These electromagnetic devices being so close actually affect the electrical signals in our brain,” he said. To mitigate this, he recommended that frequent users make use of either wired or wireless earphones and ensure phones are kept at a safe distance from the head during sleep.

For those living in limited spaces where avoiding close phone contact may seem impossible, Ibitoye offered a more practical solution: switch the phone to aeroplane mode. “If you cannot afford to switch it off, put it in aeroplane mode. No call will come in, no SMS, no notification, but your alarm will still go off,” he advised.

His comments come amid growing concerns globally about the health implications of mobile device overuse. While the technology has undeniably enhanced connectivity and productivity, experts like Ibitoye are increasingly drawing attention to the consequences of failing to use it responsibly.

His message was clear: smartphones are powerful tools, but they shouldn’t sleep with us. Whether it’s for safety, better sleep quality, or mental health, setting digital boundaries—especially at night—might be more essential now than ever.