TXT Me I'm Only Sleeping: Adolescents With Mobile Phones in Their Bedroom.
Adachi-Mejia AM, Edwards PM, Gilbert-Diamond D, Greenough GP, Olson AL. · 2014
View Original AbstractNearly two-thirds of teens sleep with active mobile phones nearby, creating both EMF exposure and sleep disruption from nighttime texting.
Plain English Summary
Researchers surveyed 454 adolescents aged 12-20 to understand how mobile phone use affects sleep patterns. They found that nearly two-thirds (62.9%) bring phones to bed, over one-third (36.7%) text after bedtime, and 7.9% are awakened by texts at least twice weekly. This suggests that mobile phones are significantly disrupting adolescent sleep through both direct use and unexpected interruptions.
Why This Matters
This study highlights a critical but often overlooked aspect of EMF exposure: the behavioral disruption that compounds the biological effects. While we know that radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones can interfere with sleep architecture and melatonin production, this research shows how device proximity creates additional sleep disruption through notifications and usage patterns. The reality is that 62.9% of teens are essentially sleeping next to active transmitters all night, creating continuous EMF exposure during the body's most critical recovery period. What this means for you as a parent is that the sleep problems you're seeing in your teenager may not just be about screen time or blue light exposure. The phone itself, even when seemingly 'dormant,' represents a source of both electromagnetic radiation and behavioral interruption that can fragment sleep cycles throughout the night.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
The purpose of this study was to determine if mobile phones interfere with adolescent sleep
We conducted a pilot test in a pediatric primary care practice of 454 patients, half female (51.2%),...
More than one-third texted after going to bed (36.7%). Two or more times per week, 7.9% were awakene...
Show BibTeX
@article{am_2014_txt_me_im_only_1803,
author = {Adachi-Mejia AM and Edwards PM and Gilbert-Diamond D and Greenough GP and Olson AL.},
title = {TXT Me I'm Only Sleeping: Adolescents With Mobile Phones in Their Bedroom.},
year = {2014},
url = {https://journals.lww.com/familyandcommunityhealth/Abstract/2014/10000/TXT_Me_I_m_Only_Sleeping__Adolescents_With_Mobile.2.aspx},
}