The WiFi Dilemma To Sleep or Not to Sleep with Your Router On

The WiFi Dilemma To Sleep or Not to Sleep with Your Router On

The WiFi Dilemma To Sleep or Not to Sleep with Your Router On "What's the matter, haven't you slept yet? It's already 12 AM. When are you going to go to bed? How long will you stare at that phone?"

"The Wi-Fi wasn't working properly all day, mom. I just finished watching the movie."

"As long as there's Wi-Fi in this house, she won't get any work done. 

I have to do something about this Wi-Fi if I want this child to get back on track."

The WiFi Dilemma To Sleep or Not to Sleep with Your Router On

These conversations are a daily routine for Saritha, a 9th-grade student, and her mother, Vimala, who lives in Vijayawada. These are the kinds of conversations we hear in every household. It's common to have such conversations three to four nights a week.

We all know that Wi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity and Hi-Fi for High Fidelity. But the truth is that the Wi-Fi Alliance (IBWA), an industry body, has clarified that there is no full form for Wi-Fi.

In simple terms, Wi-Fi is a technology that connects the internet seamlessly without the need for wires or connectors. Through Wi-Fi, we can easily access any information we need from the internet. By using the internet, we learn many things and connect with one another.

This, the use of the internet has become very important in our daily lives. But should we keep the Wi-Fi on all the time? Does keeping it on constantly have a negative impact on our health? How much do we know about this?

A router uses a wireless local area network (WLAN) to create a network. It is well known that we have become addicted to mobile phones lately. For everyone, this addiction has turned the internet into a necessity. Although this topic has not been a subject of debate until now, there's something we need to know.

We use the internet for a variety of purposes, whether it's for work, a specific task, or for entertainment on devices like phones, tablets, computers, and laptops. We use them constantly, day and night, for extended periods. Similarly, our Wi-Fi router is also constantly on; we don't turn it off even for a minute.

When to Turn Off Your Wi-Fi?

Many of us keep Wi-Fi on at night to watch entertainment or for other tasks. So, the question everyone should ask is, "Does keeping the Wi-Fi on harm our body's nervous system and our brain?"

We cannot say with certainty that using Wi-Fi causes harm, as it has not been scientifically proven yet, according to Dr. Divya Jyoti, a consultant at Yashoda Mediciti in Delhi NCR.

Dr. Jyoti explained that "the brain works through a systematic process of specific signals and communication between neurons, which allows us to do things like think, remember, move, and express our emotions. 

These are called brain impulses, which are a type of electrical signal. The Wi-Fi and other devices we use every day are primarily based on and function through electromagnetic fields. This is why we feel that Wi-Fi has a significant effect on us every time we use it."

Using Wi-Fi can affect our brain to a great extent, but there's no specific scientific evidence or proof to confirm it. There is also no specific reason for this. We should consider it a small logical practice to avoid using Wi-Fi at night as much as possible, Dr. Divya Jyoti said.

Also Read |  Google Pay offers 8 Lakh Loan!

What Are Brain Impulses?

A brain impulse is a specific method that processes or communicates information to neurons. In technical terms, it can be called electrochemical. Here, a sensory nerve carries these signals to the brain. Its job is to constantly deliver messages to the brain. Only then can we feel and experience our senses like sight, touch, speech, taste, and smell. This process is ongoing.

How Does Wi-Fi Affect Us Day and Night?

"The body's functions are very different during the day and at night. At night, some of the body's waves are very different. These are sleep waves, which are very important. The body is designed to sleep at night. A good night's sleep is essential for the brain to function properly. 

It's important to turn off the Wi-Fi to ensure that our sleep is not disturbed. Turning off the Wi-Fi does not disturb your sleep. However, it is important to remember that the farther the router is from you when you sleep, the better," said Dr. Divya Jyoti.

Is It Okay to Keep Phones Close to Us While Sleeping?

While it is right to turn off the Wi-Fi at night, it is also important to consider where you keep your phone while sleeping. What about the phone you keep next to your pillow?

The phones we use every day work on microwaves. 

These microwaves produce a high amount of radiation. Even if you don't use your phone at night, the magnetic waves in it are still active. Compared to Wi-Fi radiation, a phone's radiation is much stronger and more intense. The phone's radiation is always working in the background.

When we ask if the exposure increases because of both, the answer is no. Many experts have discussed this issue and said that every device we use in our home or office emits a certain amount of radiation. According to experts, every electrical device, whether it's a TV, a fridge, or an AC, has some amount of magnetic radiation.

What Do Technology Experts Say?

On this matter, prominent technology experts say they don't have specific or accurate information, and it's a confusing subject with a lot of uncertainty. Experts believe that more research is needed on how much these magnetic waves and radiation harm people, how to protect ourselves, and what precautions to take.

"There is no specific study that proves that turning off the Wi-Fi at night affects our nervous system, our brain, our body, our thoughts, or any other system. No one has specifically focused on this. However, one thing is certain: if we are exposed to these radio waves for a long time, there will definitely be some disruption," said technology expert 

The journey of mobile phones started in 1995-96, which can be considered a 30-year journey. We have seen a significant increase in the number of mobile and Wi-Fi users in India in the last ten years.

There is no doubt that these devices can harm us if we continue to use them excessively. Therefore, it is best to use them only within a certain limit. We also suggest that everyone should make efforts to reduce radiation exposure.

What About the Internet We Use on Our Phones?

"Whether it's the internet or Wi-Fi, it's best for everyone—young people, adults, and children—to avoid exposure to electromagnetic fields and radio waves as much as possible. It's better to use the internet to find ways to escape from these waves. Raising awareness through the internet is the best way to do this. 

However, it can be said with certainty that these kinds of waves are not as harmful as we might fear," said Faisal Ali. Dr. Divya Jyoti also said that these radiation waves can have negative effects on our bodies, such as disturbing deep sleep and affecting our daytime performance. This can lead to a lack of concentration and focus. It can also cause the formation of tumors and hinder the growth of our bodies.