Getting Technical: Does "Night Mode" on Your Cell Phone Really Work?

If you’re familiar with the nighttime routine of scrolling through your social media feeds “one more time” before bed, you might be aware of the ‘night mode’ function that turns your screen from a colder blue-tinged light to a warmer yellow hue.

The idea is that blue light appear inhibits the production of melatonin, the hormone associated with the sleep–wake cycle. Yellow-orange light is supposed to promote a better night’s sleep. But does it work? Nope, according to new research from Brigham Young University and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

They asked 167 college students to spend at least 8 hours in bed while wearing a wrist sleep monitor. Researchers found that it’s largely irrelevant whether your phone is beaming out harsh blue light or softer yellow light. It appears that the mental chore of messaging and engaging with content on social media is actually the thing that keeps your brain buzzing and can affect sleep quality.

In other words, if you want to sleep better, do what’s been suggested since you got your first iPhone 3G: Stop using your device in the hours before you hit the sack.

Could you put down your phone and not check it for several minutes? How about an hour? How about a full day? Dr. James Roberts, author of "Too Much of a Good Thing: Are You Addicted to Your Smartphone?" and a professor at Baylor University, says it's possible to gain control over your smartphone -- if you take the right steps.  Get the steps here in our Sunmark 360 article Tips to Break Your Cellphone Addiction