A Tragic Incident Highlights the Dangers of Using Phones Late at Night

Not long ago, social media was buzzing with news about a 27-year-old mother of two who passed away after staying up late using her phone. She left behind two young children, stranded and without her care.

Mobile phones have become an essential part of modern life. Everyone owns one and uses it frequently—so much so that it's almost unbearable for some to be without it.

Especially for young people, it's common to use phones right before bed—reading news, watching movies, or listening to music late into the night. This habit can have serious, detrimental effects on health.

A 27-Year-Old Woman Dies After Using Her Phone at Night

Ms. Cô Đồng, 27 years old, lived in Jiangsu Province, China. She had two children: a 6-year-old and a 2-year-old. According to her mother-in-law, when she went to wake up the daughter-in-law for breakfast one morning, she couldn't find her in the kitchen. She went to her room and found Cô Đồng lying sideways on her bed, unmoving, still holding her phone in her hand. The phone screen was still on, showing a shopping site, while her body was cold and lifeless.

It was revealed that Cô Đồng often took care of her children from morning until night and rarely had time to rest. At night, once the children were asleep, she would use the phone to watch movies, browse the web, shop online, and do other activities until 3 or 4 a.m. This routine became a habit over time. In fact, she couldn't sleep unless she scrolled through her phone first. As a result, she suffered from sleep deprivation and fatigue over an extended period.

After conducting an autopsy, doctors concluded that the cause of her sudden death was excessive fatigue, exacerbated by the late-night phone usage, which led to severe sleep deprivation and ultimately triggered cardiac arrest.

Her husband mentioned that her health had been stable before her death. In fact, the day before, she had even taken their child to the market to buy groceries.

This tragic case has led experts to advise people not to use their phones right before bed, as it can have serious negative effects on our health.

The Harmful Effects of Using Phones Before Sleep

1. Insomnia

The blue light emitted by phones disrupts your biological clock. This makes your body think it's still daytime, which keeps you awake. As a result, your body releases hormones that keep you alert, preventing you from feeling sleepy. Over time, this can lead to chronic insomnia and increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to extreme fatigue.

2. Eye Stroke

Doctors say that using your phone too much, especially at night, affects the blood circulation to the retina. Without proper blood supply, the eyes are more vulnerable to conditions like eye stroke, which can cause temporary blindness.

3. Eye Diseases

Eye diseases like macular degeneration, nearsightedness, and astigmatism can be caused by excessive phone use, especially before bedtime. The strain on the retina weakens the eyes over time. Additionally, it can cause retinal poisoning, leading to further vision problems.

4. Cancer

According to the National Library of Medicine, using your phone late at night regularly can increase the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer.

5. Increased Risk of Depression

Experts also suggest that certain sleeping habits can impact mental health and lead to conditions like depression. For example, keeping an unhealthy bedtime routine or using electronic devices late at night can negatively affect your mood and well-being.

Other Tips for Healthy Sleep

• Avoid Sleeping on Your Back Incorrectly: When you sleep on your back, your tongue can fall back and affect your breathing, leading to snoring. Placing your hand on your chest can also press on the heart and lungs, causing nightmares. The ideal sleep position is on your right side, which can relax your muscles and improve blood flow to the liver.

• Avoid Stressful Thoughts Before Sleeping: Try to keep your mind calm before bed. Worrying about daily troubles can lead to insomnia. It’s helpful to look at relaxing pictures or listen to soothing music before sleeping.

• Avoid Drinking Alcohol and Eating Too Much Before Bed: Eating too much before bed can lead to indigestion, bloating, and disturbed sleep. Additionally, consuming foods high in fat or cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.

• Avoid Talking Before Sleep: Engaging in conversation before bed can stimulate your mind, preventing your brain from resting and leading to insomnia.

• Avoid Bright Lights Before Bed: Bright lights can interfere with your sleep and cause nightmares or awaken you during the night.

• Avoid Covering Your Head with the Blanket: Doing this can lead to excessive carbon dioxide intake, potentially suffocating you during sleep.

• Avoid Holding in Urine: Holding your urine can affect your health and disturb your sleep. It’s better to empty your bladder before bed to prevent health issues.

• Avoid Oversleeping: Research has shown that excessive sleep can negatively affect your lifespan. The recommended sleep duration for adults is around 7 hours.