Digital Basics for Beginners Devices, Accounts and Getting Started With Confidence

Banking, healthcare appointments, benefits, shopping, travel tickets and staying in touch with family have all moved online to some degree. For people who are confident with technology, this is convenient. For those who are not, it can feel as though the world has quietly changed the rules without telling them.

If you feel that way, you are in very good company. Surveys in the UK have repeatedly found that millions of people lack some of the basic digital skills that others take for granted, and the reasons are rarely about intelligence. They are about access, cost, confidence and the simple fact that nobody has ever taken the time to show them. Many people who now use technology with ease began as anxious beginners.

The best way to start is small and practical. Choose one thing that you would genuinely like to do, such as video calling a grandchild, checking the weather, reading the news or ordering a prescription, and learn that. Practising something useful is far more motivating than trying to learn everything at once. Ask a patient friend or relative to sit beside you, but ask them to let you do the pressing, because you learn far more by doing than by watching.

The word device covers a surprising range of equipment, and choosing between them is easier when you understand what each is good for.

A smartphone is a pocket computer that makes calls and texts, takes photographs and runs apps. It is the device that most people use most often, and it is excellent for communication, navigation and quick tasks. A tablet has a larger touchscreen and is comfortable for reading, watching video and video calls, and many beginners find it the friendliest option because it is simple and has no separate keyboard or mouse. A laptop has a keyboard and a larger screen, and is the better tool for writing, spreadsheets, longer forms and any task that involves a lot of typing.

These devices all do broadly the same things in slightly different ways. They run an operating system, the basic software that controls the device, such as iOS or Android on phones and tablets, and Windows, macOS or ChromeOS on computers. Within each family, the devices look and feel similar, which makes it easier to move between them.

Do not feel that you have to buy the newest model. A modest, reliable device with a clear screen is perfectly adequate for most needs, and a second-hand or refurbished device from a reputable seller is often good value. Choose a screen size that you can read comfortably, and check that the device is still supported with security updates.

Almost every service, from email to online shopping, wants you to create an account. Understanding why helps you to manage them without becoming overwhelmed.

An account is a way for a service to recognise you, store your preferences and keep your information private. When you set up a smartphone, you will usually be asked to create or sign in to an account with the manufacturer, such as an Apple Account or a Google account, and this account backs up your information and lets you find a lost phone. Your email address is the key to most other accounts, because services send password reset links to it, so your email account is the most important one to protect.

Passwords are the traditional lock on an account. The National Cyber Security Centre advises using three random words, such as a short phrase that is unusual and not connected to you, to create a password that is long and memorable. Use a different password for important accounts, and consider a password manager, which stores them securely, as explained in the ebook on passwords and account security.

Write down what you need to. It is better to keep a written list of passwords in a safe place at home than to use the same easy password everywhere. Never share passwords or one-time codes with anyone who contacts you out of the blue, including people who claim to be from your bank or the police.

The internet is simply a vast network of computers. Your device connects to it through your home broadband, a public Wi-Fi network or a mobile phone signal.

At home, a router connects to your broadband line and shares the connection wirelessly, which is what people call Wi-Fi. Connecting a device means choosing the network name and entering the password, which is usually printed on the router. When you are out, your phone uses mobile data, which comes from your phone plan and may be limited, so it is wise to use Wi-Fi at home and at friends' houses to save it. Check your plan to see how much data you have.

A browser is the program that shows websites, such as Safari, Chrome, Edge or Firefox. You can type an address, such as gov.uk, into the address bar at the top, or type what you are looking for into the search box. Search engines return a list of results, and the first few may be adverts, which are marked as such, so look carefully before clicking.

Email works like postal mail. Every account has an address, and messages arrive in an inbox. Learn how to write, reply, attach a photo and delete messages, and how to spot a suspicious message, such as one that creates urgency or asks for personal details.

A few simple habits protect you from most everyday problems. They are the same on every device.

Install updates. Devices and apps receive regular updates that add features and, most importantly, fix security holes that criminals could use. Switch on automatic updates where you can. If a message tells you that an update is available, it is generally wise to install it at a convenient time, as long as the message appears on your own device in the normal way and not as a pop-up on a website or in an unexpected text.

Install apps only from the official store for your device, such as the App Store or Google Play. Check the name of the developer, read a few recent reviews and be wary of apps that ask for permissions that they do not need, such as a torch app that wants access to your contacts. Delete apps you no longer use.

Be suspicious of unexpected contact. Banks, the NHS, HMRC and the police will not ask you to move money, give out a PIN or one-time code, or install software on your computer. If a message or call worries you, hang up or ignore it, and contact the organisation directly using a number or website that you already know. The ebooks on spotting scams and fraud, and on keeping your devices safe, explain this in more detail.

Digital confidence grows through practice, not through memorising instructions. Everyone gets stuck, and knowing where to turn removes much of the stress.

Ask for help in the right way. If a relative or friend helps you, ask them to explain what they are doing, to write down the key steps and to let you do the typing. It is natural for helpers to take over, but that does not build your skills. Local libraries, community centres, Age UK branches and organisations that run Digital Champion programmes often offer free, patient, one-to-one or group sessions. Manufacturers and shops also run beginner workshops, and many providers have helplines.

Learn from reliable sources. Official support pages from the maker of your device are generally accurate. Video tutorials can be helpful, but choose those that are clear, recent and aimed at beginners, and be wary of anyone who asks you to call a number or install software. Beware of search results that offer technical support, as fraudsters often pay for adverts that make them look like the real thing.

Be patient with yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, and almost all of them can be undone. Take notes of things that you have learnt, and practise a little each day. Set yourself small goals, such as sending a photograph this week or booking a GP appointment online next week. Over time, the world that once felt closed becomes a place you can navigate.