We all have our little habits.
Leaving the milk out. Forgetting to switch the laundry.
But when it comes to our tech, some of those habits aren’t just bad—they’re on Santa’s Naughty List of Technology Crimes.

If your phone, computer, or smart TV could talk, it would absolutely be tattling on you right now.

Here are 7 things many people do every day that quietly shorten device lifespans, create security holes, or just make your gadgets cranky.
And more importantly: how to fix them.

Never Restarting Anything, Ever

If your phone or computer hasn’t had a proper restart since last Groundhog Day, congratulations—you’re living dangerously.

Why it’s naughty:

Devices get bogged down by leftover tasks, apps running in the background, and memory clogs.

The fix:

• Restart your phone at least once every week.
• Restart your computer once a week (or whenever it’s acting weird).
• Restart your smart TV when it starts forgetting who it is and freezing.

It’s basically the digital version of a nap.

---

Not Updating Your Devices Because “I Don’t Have Time for This Right Now”

Updates pop up and you hit Remind Me Later so many times the computer has given up asking.

Why it’s naughty:

Updates fix security holes.
Not updating is like leaving your front door open because the lock is annoying.

The fix:

• Turn on automatic updates for your phone, PC, and smart TV.
• Let your devices update overnight.
• Stop assuming every update will break your device. Most don’t.

---

Using the Same Password for Everything (Or Worse… No Password)

If your Netflix password is also your bank password and also your email password—please sit down. We need to talk.

Why it’s naughty:

When one account gets hacked, all your accounts are basically a buffet.

The fix:

• Use unique passwords for important stuff.
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA).
• If you can’t remember passwords, use a password manager (or at least write them in a notebook and hide it somewhere your grandkids won’t borrow it as scrap paper).

---

Charging Your Phone Until It’s Hot Enough to Cook Bacon

Phones get warm while charging. That’s normal.
But if yours is hot, that’s battery murder.

Why it’s naughty:

Heat ruins batteries fast.
Fast-charging bricks that aren’t made for your phone can make it even worse.

The fix:

• Don’t leave your phone under a pillow, blanket, or in a hot car while charging.
• Use the charger that came with the phone (or a certified one).
• Unplug when you hit 80–90% to extend battery lifespan.

Your battery will thank you by lasting longer than six minutes off the charger.

---

Never Cleaning Anything (Screens, Ports, Keyboards, Remotes)

Your phone screen has more bacteria than a public gas pump.
Your keyboard? A petri dish with letters.

Why it’s naughty:

Dust in your phone’s charging port can stop it from charging.
Gunk in your keyboard can break keys.
Your TV remote is… let’s not talk about it.

The fix:

• Wipe screens weekly with a microfiber cloth.
• Use a wooden toothpick to gently remove lint from charging ports.
• Use canned air on keyboard crumbs (chips, crackers, mystery flakes).
• Clean your remote unless you enjoy living dangerously.

---

Ignoring Wi-Fi Problems Until They Become Wi-Fi Crises

Many people live with terrible Wi-Fi for years out of pure stubbornness.

Why it’s naughty:

Weak Wi-Fi = constant buffering, failed updates, and smart devices that don’t stay connected.

Also: old routers can have security flaws.

The fix:

• Restart your router once a month.
• Move your router out of the closet (yes, you).
• If your router is older than your favorite pair of slippers, upgrade it.
• Consider mesh Wi-Fi if your house is large or oddly shaped.

---

Clicking “I Accept” on Every Pop-Up Without Reading a Single Word

Cookies. Permissions. Random “free” downloads.
You click yes because you want it out of your face.

Why it’s naughty:

This is how people install:
• browser extensions they don’t need
• apps that spy on them
• toolbars nobody has wanted since 2009
• malware disguised as “helpful cleaners”

The fix:

• Read what the pop-up is asking. At least the first line.
• Only download programs from the official website or app store.
• If an app asks for permission it obviously shouldn’t need (like a puzzle game wanting access to your contacts), hit Deny and run.

---

BONUS NAUGHTY HABIT: Using Your Phone Without a Case

I get it. Cases are chunky.
But screens are expensive and gravity does not care about your feelings.

---

The Nice List (AKA What To Do Instead)

Here’s your cheat sheet for better tech behavior:

✔ Restart weekly
✔ Keep things updated
✔ Use strong passwords
✔ Watch charging heat
✔ Clean your devices occasionally
✔ Fix your Wi-Fi
✔ Be suspicious of pop-ups
✔ Use a case unless you enjoy heart attacks

Your devices will last longer, run faster, and stop sighing in electronic frustration.