Smartphones have become a normal part of modern life. People use them for work, social connection, entertainment, and to find information.
Many people check their phones first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Over time, this habit has raised concerns among scientists and health experts, especially because the brain and body need rest during the night.
As phones become more present in our lives, researchers are starting to explore how different patterns of phone use may affect mental health, especially in people who are already struggling emotionally.
A new study looked closely at the link between late-night smartphone use and suicidal thoughts. The research focused on 79 adults who had experienced suicidal thoughts in the recent past. For 28 days, their phone activity was tracked in great detail.
Special software was installed on their devices that automatically took a screenshot every five seconds whenever the phone was being used. By the end of the study, more than 7.5 million screenshots had been collected, giving researchers a very clear picture of when and how the participants used their phones at night.
The study also asked participants to regularly report how they were feeling throughout the day. This method, known as real-time assessment, helped researchers connect changes in mood with patterns of phone use. The goal was not to judge people, but to better understand how nighttime behavior may influence mental health the next day.
One important reason this research matters is the fact that suicidal thoughts are more common than many people realize. In the United States alone, more than 10 million adults experience these thoughts each year. Nighttime can be especially difficult.
When the world becomes quiet and distractions fade away, painful thoughts and feelings often become stronger. At the same time, sleep problems are already known to be linked to worse mental health. People who sleep poorly or not long enough are more likely to feel hopeless, anxious, or overwhelmed the next day.
Smartphones can easily make sleep worse. The blue light from screens tells the brain to stay awake instead of relaxing. Messages, videos, and social media posts can stir up emotions.
Notifications can wake people up even after they fall asleep. Many people also feel pressure to respond to others quickly, even when they are tired. All of these things can make it harder for the brain to rest and recover.
In this study, researchers wanted to know whether all phone use at night is equally harmful. They made an important distinction between passive phone use and active phone use.
Passive use included activities like scrolling through social media or watching videos without interacting much. Active use involved typing on the keyboard, such as sending messages or writing something.
The results showed a surprising pattern. People who used their phones between 11 at night and 1 in the morning had a higher risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts the next day.
But people who were actively using their phone by typing on the keyboard after midnight, especially between 1 and 5 in the morning, actually showed a lower risk of suicidal thoughts the next day. One possible reason is that active typing may involve communication or self-expression, which could provide some comfort or emotional release.
The study also found that people who went longer without using their phone at night, such as having a 7 to 9 hour gap between sessions, reported lower levels of suicidal thinking compared to those who only had a 4 to 7 hour break. This supports the idea that better sleep and less screen time at night may improve mental health.
However, the researchers were careful to point out some limitations. The study only included a small number of people, and all of them were from one location.
In addition, people who feel depressed may not accurately remember or report how much they used their phones, which can affect the results. Because of this, the findings should not be seen as final proof, but rather as an early step in understanding a complex issue.
Even with these limitations, the study offers valuable insights. It shows that not all phone use is the same and that the timing and type of activity may make a difference.
These findings may help doctors, therapists, and support workers develop better advice for people who struggle with late-night thoughts and feelings. For example, encouraging healthier sleep habits, reducing passive scrolling, and promoting meaningful connection could play a role in preventing harm.
In reviewing the study, it is clear that nighttime is a vulnerable period for many people, especially those already at risk. The research suggests that long, uninterrupted sleep is protective for mental health, while passive phone use late at night may increase emotional risk.
Active communication may sometimes reduce feelings of isolation, but it should not replace proper rest. While the study does not provide simple answers, it highlights an important message: how we use technology, especially at night, matters for our mental well-being.
More research with larger and more diverse groups is needed, but this study is an important step toward understanding how to protect mental health in the digital age.
If you care about depression, please read studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more information about mental health, please see recent studies that ultra-processed foods may make you feel depressed, and extra-virgin olive oil could reduce depression symptoms.
The study is published in JAMA Network Open.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
