Smartphones have overtaken our lives ever since their invention. And an exponential growth in popularity has enabled co-dependent existence with these devices that fit our pockets. However, carrying the phone in your pocket at all times is not a healthy habit and one you should think about changing. Think hard and contemplate if that is your only habit when using smartphones. Here are a few more to break away from:

Bedtime scrolling
After a long day, we all get comfortable in bed and whip out our smartphones to scroll through social media. And if we aren’t checking social media, there’s no shortage of content on the internet. The problem is we all carry phones to bed and, in some cases, even to the bathroom. Constant exposure to screens and their blue light disrupts sleep quality. Suppressed melatonin also leads to a lack of focus and restlessness.

Ignoring updates
You risk your phone data if you quickly hit the update later option and repeatedly repeat that action. System updates often come with security patches; ignoring them can be quite a risk for your smartphone. Delaying software updates can also slow down your phone, eventually costing you more time for the simplest tasks. You could own the most expensive flip phone available with a competitive internet phone plan, but you risk being hacked thanks to an outdated operating system.

Constantly checking every notification
Notifications are a constant distraction to a productive day. Whether a day of rest or ticking things off the to-do list, the constant barrage is jarring. But some can remind us of important texts and emails. If you are highly dependent on your phone, turn off notifications for a while. Switching the do not disturb option on your cellphone a couple of hours before bed is also great.

Talking or texting while driving
Driving with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding a phone to your ear is risky and illegal, but people still do it. Responsible driving is a bigger priority as important as a call or text. Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous smartphone habits that must be broken.

Choosing a plan without research
Another habit to avoid is paying for phone plans without doing any research. Many smartphone owners make this common mistake. The plan you purchased might sometimes be contractual, and you may be unable to change it until the contract period ends. So, consider looking up a competent 5G phone plan and choosing reliable carriers like Verizon, AT&T, US Cellular, T-Mobile, and Sprint.

It is also important to protect phones from cyberattacks. Hackers can access smartphones through public Wi-Fi networks, phishing emails or texts, and malicious apps. They could use the data stolen this way to blackmail the owner and ask for a ransom. This is a common cybercrime, and those affected may be unsure what to do next. Victims of cybercrime should file a report with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) immediately. The IC3 can help in recovering lost funds and even apprehending the hacker.