Are mobile phones messing with our minds? WHO provides an answer

Mobile phones have become an unavoidable part of modern life and their use has been often looked at with fear and scepticism.

It has often been claimed that the radiofrequency (RF) waves emitted by these handheld communication devices could affect the human brain, causing cognitive issues such as memory loss, a lack of attention and even cancer.

However, here’s a piece of good news. A World Health Organisation (WHO)-backed study has dispelled the fears, stating that RF waves are not as dangerous as perceived.

The study, published in Environment International, concluded that mobile phones, held closer to the head, do not have a lasting impact on brain functions. A team of scientists at the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) conducted the study that addressed the long-standing worry among scientists and the public.

“One of the motivations for this research was to assess the effects on the brain because mobile phones are usually held close to the head during calls,” Dr Ken Karipidis, who co-authored the study, said in a statement.

However, Dr Karipidis, Assistant Director of Health Impact Assessment at the Agency, revealed a challenge faced during the study.

“One of the challenges in studying the effects of mobile phones on health is that it’s hard to separate radiation exposure from behavioural effects that social media and gaming have on our cognition.”

The comprehensive review showed that despite these challenges, radio wave exposures from mobile phones do not seem to affect learning, memory, or attention span.

However, though the gadgets themselves do not impact health, experts warned that unhealthy use of mobile phones could have an adverse effect.

The review was a collaborative effort between ARPANSA and Monash University, and the work involved combing through nearly 3,945 scientific papers, of which only five studies met the rigorous standards necessary for the final analysis.

Table of Contents

Also Read: Could your mobile phone be putting your heart at risk?

No cognitive impact

The results of the study painted a consistent picture in both children and older adults. RF exposure from mobile phones did not have a significant impact on cognitive functions. This includes areas like memory, executive function, and attention — crucial skills that many feared were at risk.

For instance, among children, mobile phone use showed little to no effect on memory tasks like the one-back memory task or the one-card learning task. Similarly, there were no significant changes observed in tasks that measured executive function or attention.

The evidence remained weak for older adults as well. A study showed that even with frequent mobile phone use, there was little to no effect on global cognitive decline.

In simpler terms, using a phone did not seem to make older adults more forgetful or less sharp in any noticeable way.

Also Read: Does mobile phone usage increase the risk of brain tumours?

History of reassuring results

When the ARPANSA team analysed nearly 28 years of data on mobile phone use and brain cancer rates, they found no significant increases in cancer cases, such as glioma or meningioma, even among heavy phone users.

This finding is particularly striking given that mobile phone use has skyrocketed during this period, with more phones in circulation than the people.

One of the most interesting parts of this review was that it covered all mobile technology generations, from the earliest 1G services to today’s advanced 5G networks.

Regardless of the generation of technology used, the study found no significant differences in cancer risk or cognitive impairment. Newer technologies have reduced exposure levels as the density of mobile towers increased, making it easier for phones to connect without emitting higher levels of radiation.

“Mobile phones emit about 500,000 times less radiation than the Australian standard for safe exposure to electromagnetic sources,” Dr Karipidis said. He pointed out that even technologies like WiFi operate at levels far below the safety thresholds established by ARPANSA’s rigorous guidelines.

Also Read: What is Mpox clade 2 virus, confirmed in a patient in India?

Role of behaviour

One of the main challenges in this field of study is differentiating the effects of radiation from the behavioural impacts of mobile phone use. The interaction with phones — scrolling through social media, texting, gaming — can affect the brain in different ways.

This makes it difficult to isolate whether it is the radiation from the phone or the actual activity of using the phone that might impact cognitive abilities.

Dr Karipidis also pointed out that while studies to date have not shown significant health effects from the electromagnetic radiation itself, behaviours like screen time can certainly have other implications for mental health and cognitive function.

Mobile phones and sleep disruption

Keeping your mobile phone by your bedside might seem harmless but doctors advise against it for a variety of reasons.

One major concern is that having the phone next to your head in bed can disturb sleep patterns and affect a good night’s rest.

“Using your phone before bedtime can make it harder to fall asleep and reduce the quality of sleep,” Dr Sudhir Kumar, Consultant Neurologist from Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, said.

“Many people, both old and young, come to me with this problem. In children, it can also lead to them not being attentive in class the next day due to lack of sleep.”

Mobile phones emit blue light from their screens, which interferes with the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. This disruption in melatonin production makes it harder for people to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Sleep specialists have long warned about the negative effects of blue light, which tricks the brain into thinking that it is still daytime and suppresses the natural sleep cycle.

Beyond its impact on sleep, the presence of a mobile phone on your nightstand can also take a toll on your mental health. Doctors caution that the constant stream of notifications and the urge to check apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, or other social media platforms can significantly increase feelings of anxiety and stress.

“It is always better to keep the mobile phone out of the bedroom,” Dr Kumar said. “Not only is this helpful for some quality family time but it also keeps you from the constant temptation to check your phone, which can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and anxious,” he said.

The pervasive need to stay connected can make it challenging for people to “disconnect” and relax, fostering an over-dependence on their devices. Dependence on smartphones can sometimes turn into a compulsive behaviour that not only disrupts sleep but also impacts overall productivity and mental health.

Also Read: How contact lenses extend an open invitation to trouble

Consequences of late-night phone use

Late-night phone usage is a habit that many people have adopted without realising its hidden consequences. Doctors pointed out that staring at the phone screen late into the night can interfere with sleep rhythm and affect cognitive function the next day.

“Phones next to people’s heads during sleep are not recommended, not only because of sleep rhythm disruptions but also due to potential heating issues,” Dr Karipidis said.

He added that even though mobile phones do not necessarily pose a cancer risk, it is still safer to keep them away from your bedside. “They may affect your memory, disrupt your sleep patterns, and potentially impair your productivity the following day.”

Research shows that the mere presence of a phone within arm’s reach at night can lead to increased screen time, making it harder to disconnect and unwind before bed. Subsequently, many people find themselves scrolling through social media or responding to messages instead of getting the rest they need.

“Many children come to me with this problem,” Dr Kumar said. “Using phones before bed not only keeps them awake longer but also affects their ability to concentrate in class the next day.”

What does this mean to you?

The findings of this WHO-backed study suggested that fears about mobile phone radiation affecting your brain might be overblown.

Despite decades of heavy phone usage around the globe, there is no convincing evidence that these devices are harming our cognitive functions or increasing the risk of brain cancers.

However, it is also clear that much remains unknown, particularly about the long-term effects of newer technologies and the diverse ways people use their phones today. As scientists continue to explore these questions, one thing is for sure: the radiation levels from the phone are much lower than the levels that could potentially cause harm.

For now, mobile phone users can breathe a sigh of relief — the evidence doesn’t support the idea that the smartphone is frying your brain. Instead, it is more likely that what affects our cognitive health has more to do with how we use these devices, rather than the devices themselves.

(Edited by Majnu Babu).

link