Here Are the Real Health Dangers of iPhone Use, According to Science
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New technologies always comes with fears about how they're affecting our health – and the iPhone is certainly no exception. But out of all the rumors and baseless fears and false reports we read each day, are there any actual health dangers to using an iPhone? Well, yes. But they might not be what you'd expect. Continue reading to learn about the top risks of using an iPhone (according to science), and what you can do about it.
Cancer? Not Exactly
Cancer is, of course, one of the most frequently asked questions about cell phone use in general. Do they cause cancer? Should we be worried? Well, the research indicates there is no link between smartphone use and cancer, although scientists do want to run more studies to be sure.
However, they have found a relationship between smartphones and fertility issues among men, as there may be some evidence that cellphone radiation in general can affect sperm count.
Scientists want to do more research here, since it's tough to confirm anything with just a study or two, but if you are worried about fertility, try keeping your iPhone out of your pocket more often.
Text Neck
"Text neck" is an increasingly common spine issue that comes from craning your neck down to look at your iPhone (or iPad) for long periods. This creates pain in your neck, upper back, and sometimes your shoulders. Over time, it may cause rounded shoulders and poor head posture even when not using your phone. Mobility issues may start as well, and the resulting headaches can interfere with concentration.
Text neck can affect all kinds of users, but it may be particularly concerning among teens, where early problems can cause long-term issues. The best solution is, of course, to not use your smartphone as much, which should give parents plenty of ammunition in this particular discussion. However, it's also good to use your phone more at eye-height and less on your lap. Oh, and don't text and drive, please.
Eye Problems
We tend to use our iPhones pretty close to our eyes, which can cause problems with our eyesight over the long term. That beautiful display emits a lot of light that's absorbed directly into our eyes. However, your eyes aren't prepared for all of the blue light that could damage your retinas. Over time, this can encourage problems like macular degeneration – a serious issue that can dramatically impact eyesight. Research on this is ongoing, but it seems to be a real problem, so it may be a good idea to enable your iPhone's Night Shift mode if you frequently use your iPhone throughout the evening.
Hand Cramps
Hand cramps are an interesting problem, in that it's a genuine health concern when using any smartphone, but one that has actually gotten better with time.
When text messaging became popular on cramped manual cellphone keyboards, finger and hand pain became a relatively common issue. However, with the advent of easier touchscreens and larger phones for easier handling, this issue appeared to decrease.
However, some people may still suffer from cramps and related hand issues when frequently texting. Speech-to-text options via Siri and texting with both hands instead of just one hand can help provide relief.
Sleep Problems
There's another proven issue with the relatively rare blue light that our smartphone produce – our brains think it means that it's time to stay awake since that light mimics certain aspects of daylight. Thus, using your iPhone or iPad well into the evening, and especially when using it in bed, can create insomnia and similar issues.
One of the first pieces of advice people receive when investigating sleep issues is to stop using their phones at nighttime. This may be impossible depending on your lifestyle, but at least enable the Night Shift filter and try to decrease usage before bedtime.
Addiction Possibilities
This one still needs a lot of research, but the World Health Organization believes that the nature of mobile games on smartphones can make them particularly addictive and that this could be a growing issue for kids. There are a wealth of articles and studies on how smartphones can affect mental health, and they haven't come to any real conclusions about health dangers. However, it's a good idea to limit iPhone gaming and screentime in general, especially for your kids.