This the data network which allows text, images, video and sound to travel to and from your smartphone.
A profile that you create on a particular website or program that contains information you have provided such as name and email address.
A mobile operating system developed by Google for use by many smartphone brands including Samsung, Nokia and Huawei.
A program that you can put on your smartphone which is accessed via a square image on the screen.
The place on your smartphone where you can choose apps, sometimes you need to buy them.
An Apple ID is an account used to make purchases from the Apple Store. Also used to access other apple services. It is used for purchasing or downloading apps for Apple devices like iPad and iPhone.
Files, such as photos, documents, or programs, which are sent along with an email.
The amount of data that can be transferred through your internet connection. If your bandwidth is low, webpages may load slowly, or you might have difficulty watching videos online.
Web addresses stored in your browser that you may want to use regularly. You can access your bookmarks easily. Bookmarks are also known as ‘favourites’.
Broadband is a generic term for the connection which allows you to access the internet. To get broadband at home, you need to set up a contract with a broadband provider (such as Vodafone), who will charge you for the equipment needed to connect your smartphone, tablet or computer to the internet.
A program that allows you to access the Internet. e.g. Chrome and Safari.
Taking part in an online chat for example on WhatsApp.
Google’s browser which can be used to browse the internet.
To select something on your screen by moving your cursor over it and pressing your mouse button. On Smartphones and tablets you “tap” instead of “click”.
A form on a website that you can fill in to request information.
Your contacts list is one of the most important things on your device. It’s where you save contact information for the people you know, including their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. A lot like an address book.
A program that keeps track of what you do on the internet so that when you back to it another time, it will remember where you were or your preferences.
The blinking line on the screen that indicates where you are.
Most phone and tablet contracts have monthly allowances for data usage. Data usage is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB). Your data allowance is used when you access the internet on your phone or tablet when you are not connected to Wi-Fi. Once you use up your allowance, you might get charged for additional usage, or you might not be able to use mobile data until your allowance renews the next month.
To put something from the internet on your laptop or smartphone.
Text message that you send through an e-mail program.
A program to send and receive e-mails such as G-Mail or Yahoo.
A picture to add to a message instead of text e.g. a smiley face, usually to convey emotion or give feedback.
If an app or a website is encrypted, it means that all the communication between you and the website is secure and cannot be read by anyone else.
A social networking site to connect with others.
Stands for Frequently Asked Questions. These are common questions that people have and often a first port of call if you have a problem on a website or with a program or app.
The place where you store websites that you want to view more often.
Data stored on a computer containing any sort of digital content such as a document with text, a picture, a piece of music or a film.
An online discussion group focused on a particular topic or theme, much like a chat room.
Google is the most popular search engine on the internet. You can visit www.google.com and by typing in keywords you can search for information or a website. Someone might tell you to ‘google’ something, which means to look up information online. There are also related services like Google Pay or Google Maps.
Your internet browser will have an option marked ‘History’. If you click on it, you can see which sites have been viewed.
The first page you see on a website. Usually a place that has general information on the site and some options or a menu taking you to other pages on the site.
Instagram is a popular social media platform used for photo sharing. It allows you to create a personal profile where you can share photos with friends and family on your ‘Instagram feed’.
Network of millions of computers, spread all over the world.
You use this if you want to do your banking online on the internet.
The operating system used by apple across all Apple computers, phones and tablets.
Apple’s online store. The iTunes store has movies, music, videos and apps that can be purchased and downloaded to an Apple device or (with the exception of apps) be played on a PC using iTunes.
Consists of all the letters, numbers and characters you need to type.
The word you enter into the search engine to search for information.
A portable computer with a keyboard and a screen.
A blue underlined word that you can click to go to another page.
If you have set up an online account for anything including email, banking, shopping, or social media, you will need to use a username (often your email address) and a password to access the account. This is known as logging in.
A list of options or a topics on a website to choose from.
A Microsoft browser that has the same core features as other browsers for browsing the internet.
The controls of your computer, it allows you to click, scroll, check and drag.
To move around or through a website.
When you are connected to the internet, you are online.
A store or shop on the Internet where you can buy products online.
The software that manages various programs on a computer, phone, or tablet. Examples include Android for certain smartphones (like Samsung, Google, Sony and Huawei) and iOS for Apple devices.
Your secret access code. You don’t tell anyone your password.
An online account that you link to your bank account or payment card which allows you to pay for online purchases securely without directly using your card details.
Another name for computer, also laptop.
Where criminals direct users to a fake website in order to trick them into disclosing private information, such as usernames or passwords or bank details.
A PIN acts like a password to protect your smartphone, usually required when you turn on you’re your smartphone.
Player is an online video service from a broadcaster like RTÉ. Most TV channels have a player where you can view live or recorded shows.
An ongoing series or episodes of a particular audio programme. Radio stations often have their shows available as a podcast.
A window or small screen that pops up on top of the one you are already viewing, usually with advertising.
To add a contribution to a forum/chat room/blog/web page. You can “post” an update to e.g. Facebook or look at other people’s posts.
You decide for yourself what information you want to disclose about yourself.
A description that may include your personal details and is used to identify you on a social networking website. This can be set as public (viewed by everyone) or private (only viewed by certain people).
Safari is Apple’s browser and is used on Apple devices like the iPhone or iPad to browse the internet.
Your computer’s display.
To move up, down our sideways around a page on a computer or other device.
A narrow rectangle on the bottom or side of a screen that you can drag to scroll up / down or side to side.
With Internet browsers, the search bar is the location within a browser that allows you to search the Internet for what you want to find.
A website to search for information on the internet.
The list of links you get when you search.
Short for ‘self portrait’, selfies are photographs of the photographer, often taken at arm’s length.
The name for large computers where all information is stored – usually for a business.
A small card that is inserted into your smartphone containing information about your smartphone number and subscription.
Skype is a type of video calling software. You can either install it as an app on your phone, tablet, or computer, or you can access it through your internet browser.
A mobile phone with internet and apps.
Online places where you can connect with others.
Instructions that tell a computer what to do.
Spam emails are emails sent to you without your knowledge or consent, which often contain marketing.
Spotify is a digital music service that gives you access to millions of songs, podcasts and videos from artists all over the world.
To explore various websites on the internet.
Swipe is a command used touchscreen devices, such as smartphones and tablets. A swipe involves quickly moving (or “swiping”) your finger across the screen.
A small portable computer where you navigate by using your fingers to swipe and tap.
Where you have multiple websites open at once, they are available in different tabs that you can see at the top of your browser screen.
A text message that you send using your phone.
The name of a social networking site on the internet for communicating with people via short messages. The messages are called Tweets.
The name of a website (including web address). Used to take you to the website.
The name you use in your profile.
Calling someone while seeing and hearing each other on the screen.
This is a common term on the internet. It means a simulation of the real thing. The internet itself is often seen as a virtual world where you make virtual friends and become a part of virtual communities.
A program that can attack your computer.
Spoken message left by a caller on a voicemail system. You can set up voicemail on your smart phone. If you do not answer, the caller can leave you a message which you can listen to later.
The name of a website (same as URL).
A page of information, on the Internet.
A program (app) on your phone to connect with others.
A wireless network to connect to the Internet.
When your mouse or keyboard is not connected to your computer by a cord (wire), but still works.
The internet (also www).
A website to watch and share videos.
Zoom is a popular video communications platform for laptops, desktops and mobile devices. Alternatively, you can also “zoom in” or enlarge the text or images on a screen.