By Headlinenews.News Special Desk
A viral video currently circulating across social media platforms has sparked anxiety among mobile phone users, claiming that using a phone while charging can cause electric current to “radiate through the body,” potentially leading to serious health risks.
In the widely shared clip, an individual demonstrates a tester screwdriver lighting up when placed on different parts of the body while holding a plugged-in phone—suggesting the presence of dangerous electrical current.
However, technical experts say the conclusion being drawn from the video is misleading and scientifically inaccurate.
What the Video Actually Shows
Electrical engineers and safety analysts explain that the glowing tester does not indicate harmful current passing through the body, but rather the presence of stray or induced voltage—a weak electrical field that can be detected by highly sensitive tools.
Tester screwdrivers are designed to respond to even minimal voltage levels, often lighting up without any meaningful current flow.
In simple terms, the device can react to electrical presence that is too weak to cause harm.
“The human body can act as a conductor for very small electrical fields, especially when in contact with electronic devices,” a Lagos-based electrical safety consultant explained. “But that does not mean dangerous current is flowing through the body.”
Voltage vs. Current: The Critical Difference
The confusion stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of electricity.
While voltage refers to the presence of electrical potential, it is current—the actual flow of electricity—that poses danger to human health.
In the scenario shown in the video, the current involved is extremely low—far below the threshold required to cause injury.
“If such a situation were truly hazardous, there would be widespread cases of electric shock injuries from routine phone use while charging.
That is simply not the case,” the expert added.
No Evidence of Cancer Risk
The video also suggests a possible link between phone charging and cancer. This claim has no basis in established science.
Mobile phones emit non-ionising radiation, which lacks the energy required to damage DNA or cause cancer. Global health bodies have consistently maintained that normal phone usage does not pose a proven cancer risk.
The Real Risks to Watch
While the viral claim is exaggerated, experts caution that electrical safety should not be ignored. Genuine risks can arise under certain conditions, particularly when substandard accessories are involved.
Users are advised to:
Avoid damaged or frayed charging cables
Use certified or manufacturer-approved chargers
Keep phones away from water or damp environments while charging
Ensure proper ventilation to prevent overheating
Cheap, counterfeit chargers—common in many markets—remain the most significant safety concern.
Public Reaction and the Danger of Misinformation
The rapid spread of the video highlights a growing challenge in the digital age: the amplification of technically misleading but visually convincing content.
Without proper context, such demonstrations can trigger unnecessary fear and behavioural changes based on incomplete understanding.
A Call for Caution—But Not Panic
As discussions continue online, experts emphasise the importance of balancing awareness with accuracy.
Routine use of mobile phones while charging, under normal conditions and with proper equipment, is not dangerous.
What the public needs is not alarm, but informed caution.
In an era of instant information, the greatest risk is not always the device in our hands—but the misinformation we choose to believe.
The National Patriots caution Nigerians against spreading unverified and misleading information capable of causing unnecessary panic. While public safety is important, it must be guided by facts, not fear. The viral phone charging video has been misinterpreted and does not reflect a real health danger. We urge citizens to verify information before sharing and to rely on credible sources. True patriotism requires responsibility, calm judgment, and a commitment to protecting public understanding as much as public safety.
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report.
