Tech Resolutions Everyone Needs to Make in 2026

Be honest: keeping up with your technology can feel like a full-time job. Every year, there’s a new "must-have" app or a confusing buzzword that everyone seems to be talking about. But as you head into 2026, understand become more tech savvy is becoming less about "learning new gadgets" and more about making your life easier. You don’t need to be a computer whiz to stay ahead. Here are some simple, high-impact tech resolutions that you should make this year.

Let AI Be Your Assistant. In the past, you used Google to find answers to those problems you face in life. In 2026, start using AI to actually help you in your professional and personal life. This process means you are moving from "searching" to "acting." Instead of just asking your favorite ChatBot phone questions, give it tasks. Also, break free of the ChatGPT bubble and experiment with other AI tools such as Google Gemini, Meta.ai, Grok by X and Microsoft Copilot. Find the chatbot that works best with your mindset and your tech habits.

Ditch the Password Headache. We all have that "forgot password" frustration. In 2026, the best thing you can do for your sanity (and security) is to stop typing passwords altogether and switch to Passphrases and Passkeys. Passphrases offer stronger protection than passwords. Passkeys use biometrics like facial recognition and fingerprints. Most major sites (like Google, Amazon, and Apple) now offer "Passkeys." This allows you to log in using just your face, your fingerprint, or your phone’s screen lock code. It’s actually safer than a password because there’s nothing for a hacker to steal, and you’ll never have to remember a string of random characters again.

Take a Digital Breath Every Day. As technology gets smarter, it gets harder to put down. In 2026, the most "high-tech" thing you can do is know when to turn it off. The best thing you can do is to practice the 8-to-8 Rule (or any window that works for you). Pick a time in the evening—say, 8:00 PM—when your phone goes into a charging drawer or a basket in the kitchen. Don't touch it again until 8:00 AM the next day. You’ll sleep better, reduce eye strain, and reclaim your evening for hobbies, family, or just some peace and quiet.

Clean Up Your Digital Closet. Just like a messy junk drawer, our computers and phones get cluttered with apps we don't use and photos we don't need. This slows down your device and drains your battery. On the first of every month, look at your devices. If you haven't opened an app in thirty days, delete it. If you have 500 blurry photos of your lunch, take five minutes to clear them out. When you do this, your devices will run faster, your storage won't get full, and you’ll feel less overwhelmed every time you unlock your screen on your phone or computer.

Secure Your Digital Twin. In 2026, protecting your "Digital Twin" means securing the data, voice, and image that represent you in an AI-driven world. Guard against AI impersonation by setting up a "Family Safe Word" to verify voice calls and use Content Credentials to watermark your authentic photos and videos. Ultimately, it’s about being the gatekeeper of your own likeness: by managing your privacy settings and auditing the AI agents you use, you ensure that your digital identity remains an asset you control rather than a tool for others to exploit.

Ultimately, using technology in 2026 isn't about adding more screen time to your day—it's about making your digital life work harder so you can live more intentionally. You reclaim the time and mental space to focus on what truly matters. Pick just one of these resolutions to start with today, and turn technology back into what it was always meant to be: a tool that serves you, rather than the other way around.

Which of these steps are you taking first? Let me know in the comments.

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About Burton Kelso. Burton Kelso is the Chief Technology Expert at Integral, a computer repair and managed IT services company that for over 30 years has focused on helping people, not just computers, by building relationships and turning bad days into good ones, not just the technology. He is also a Top 2x TEDx Keynote Speaker and Expert on Cybersecurity, AI, and Digital Marketing as well as an On-Air TV Tech Expert appearing on TV and Radio stations all over the globe. He loves technology, he's read all of the manuals and he's serious about making technology fun, safe, and easy to use for everyone.

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