Connect with Family – The Basics of Video Calling
Audio provided for your convenience, in case you’d rather listen.
Hi there. Welcome back to “Your Canadian Senior Moment”!
In our last lesson, we learned about the importance of keeping our inboxes safe from scams. Today, we’re moving on to one of the most rewarding parts of being online: connecting with family and friends through a video call. It’s a wonderful tool that lets you see a smiling face and hear a familiar voice, no matter how far away they are.
What is a Video Call?
A video call is a way of communicating that uses your device’s camera and microphone to send live video and audio. It’s like having a face-to-face conversation with someone right from your living room. There are many different applications for video calls, such as Zoom, FaceTime (for Apple devices), and Google Meet. Most of them work in a very similar way.
Making Your First Video Call
Making a video call might seem complicated, but it’s really just a few simple steps.
Before you begin:
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Make sure your device is connected to a reliable internet connection (Wi-Fi is best).
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Check that your device is charged or plugged in.
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Ask the person you want to call what application they use.
How to make a call:
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Open the App: Tap the icon for the video call application on your device.
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Find Your Contact: Look for your family member or friend’s name in your contacts list within the app.
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Start the Call: Tap the button to start a video call. This is often a camera icon or a “Call” button.
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Wait for an Answer: Your device will ring on their end. When they answer, you will see and hear them!
It’s that simple!
Your Turn to Practice!
The best way to learn is by doing. Ask a family member or friend if they would be willing to do a practice video call with you. Don’t worry about making a mistake; they will be happy to help you get the hang of it.
What’s Next? In our next lesson, we will explore one of the most powerful reasons to get online: finding and using online services. We’ll show you how to access government programs and other services from the comfort of your home. We’ll see you then!
(Please remember: Your device and screen may look slightly different from our examples. If you run into any difficulty, please describe any problem in the comments and we’ll do our best to help you individually.)
Warmly,
Bill and Marilyn
Founders of Canadian Senior Moment
**Bill Gould** spent 43 years as a long-haul truck driver before trading the steering wheel for a keyboard to help fellow Canadians navigate the road of retirement. A freelance writer, published author, and editor of over 50 books, Bill co-founded *Canadian Senior Moment* with his wife, Marilyn, to provide a trusted space for seniors to find clarity, safety, and connection in the digital age. When he isn’t troubleshooting “tech gremlins” or sharing childhood memories of the Prairies, he can be found in his woodshop or working on his latest novel.