Internet Basics: What Can You Do Online? (2024)

Lesson 2: What Can You Do Online?

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Introduction

There's almost no limit to what you can do online. The Internet makes it possible to quickly find information, communicate with people around the world, manage your finances, shop from home, listen to music, watch videos, and much, much more. Let's take a look at some of the ways the Internet is most commonly used today.

Finding information online

With billions of websites online today, there is a lot of information on the Internet. Search engines make this information easier to find. All you have to do is type one or more keywords, and the search engine will look for relevant websites.

For example, let's say you're looking for a new pair of shoes. You could use a search engine to learn about different types of shoes, get directions to a nearby shoe store, or even find out where to buy them online!

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There are many different search engines you can use, but some of the most popular include Google, Yahoo!, and Bing.

Email

Short for electronic mail, email is a way to send and receive messages across the Internet. Almost everyone who uses the Internet has their own email account, usually called an email address. This is because you'll need an email address to do just about anything online, from online banking to creating a Facebook account.

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Social networking

Social networking websites are another way to connect and share with your family and friends online. Rather than sharing with just a few people over email, social networks make it easier to connect and share with many people at the same time. Facebook is the world's largest social networking site, with more than 1 billion users worldwide.

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Chat and instant messaging

Chat and instant messaging (IM) are short messages sent and read in real time, allowing you to converse more quickly and easily than email. These are generally used when both (or all) people are online, so your message can be read immediately. By comparison, emails won't be seen until recipients check their inboxes.

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Examples of instant messaging applications include Yahoo Messenger and Google Hangouts. Some sites, like Gmail and Facebook, even allow you to chat within your web browser.

Online media

There are many sites that allow you to watch videos and listen to music. For example, you can watch millions of videos on YouTube or listen to Internet radio on Pandora. Other services, like Netflix and Hulu, allow you to watch movies and TV shows. And if have a set-top streaming box, you can even watch them directly on your television instead of a computer screen.

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Everyday tasks

You can also use the Internet to complete many everyday tasks and errands. For example, you can manage your bank account, pay your bills, and shop for just about anything. The main advantage here is convenience. Rather than going from place to place, you can do all of these tasks at home!

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And a whole lot more!

Remember, these are just a few of the things you'll be able to do online. Keep working through this tutorial to learn more about connecting to the Internet and using the Web!

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Internet Basics: What Can You Do Online? (2024)

FAQs

What can you do with basic Internet? ›

There's almost no limit to what you can do online. The Internet makes it possible to quickly find information, communicate with people around the world, manage your finances, shop from home, listen to music, watch videos, and much, much more.

What are the basic concepts of the Internet? ›

The Internet is a worldwide telecommunications system that provides connectivity for millions of other, smaller networks; therefore, the Internet is often referred to as a network of networks. It allows computer users to communicate with each other across distance and computer platforms.

How the Internet works the basics? ›

The Internet works by connecting networks together through a series of routers and switches. A router forwards packets of data between different networks while a switch links devices within a single network. This enables computers to communicate with each other and access content stored on remote servers.

What are 10 uses of internet? ›

Top 10 Uses Of The Internet
  • Electronic mail. At least 85% of the inhabitants of cyberspace send and receive e-mail. ...
  • Research.
  • Downloading files.
  • Discussion groups. ...
  • Interactive games. ...
  • Education and self-improvement. ...
  • Friendship and dating. ...
  • Electronic newspapers and magazines.

How can I use internet without paying? ›

10 best ways to get free internet at home without paying
  1. Use Free Public WiFi Hotspots. One simple way to get free internet access is to use the free public WiFi networks available at many businesses and public places. ...
  2. FreedomPop. ...
  3. NetZero. ...
  4. EveryoneOn. ...
  5. WifiMap. ...
  6. WiFi Free Spot. ...
  7. Instabridge. ...
  8. Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Jan 9, 2024

What are the three main uses of the Internet? ›

Send and receive Emails. Finding information. Making online Payments.

What is Internet in 250 words? ›

The internet is the most recent man-made creation that connects the world. The world has narrowed down after the invention of the internet. It has demolished all boundaries, which were the barriers between people and has made everything accessible. The internet is helpful to us in different ways.

What is Internet use in daily life? ›

Emails, video conferencing, social networking and chatting are some prime examples of live communications at no extra costs. You can even search for jobs online this way. Education – Amazingly enough, the internet provides access to education too, with online distance learning courses becoming common these days.

What can Wi-Fi be used for? ›

Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that allows devices such as computers (laptops and desktops), mobile devices (smart phones and wearables), and other equipment (printers and video cameras) to interface with the Internet.

What does URL stand for? ›

A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of a unique resource on the internet. It is one of the key mechanisms used by browsers to retrieve published resources, such as HTML pages, CSS documents, images, and so on.

What is the Internet for kids? ›

The Internet is a network, or system, that connects millions of computers worldwide. It was one of the greatest inventions of the 1900s. Since its beginning, the Internet has changed a great deal. Advances in technology have made using the Internet quicker and easier.

How will you define Internet in the simplest way? ›

The Internet is a vast network that connects computers all over the world. Through the Internet, people can share information and communicate from anywhere with an Internet connection.

What are 2 main functions of a router? ›

A router is a device that connects two or more packet-switched networks or subnetworks. It serves two primary functions: managing traffic between these networks by forwarding data packets to their intended IP addresses, and allowing multiple devices to use the same Internet connection.

Who puts information on the Internet? ›

Website content is provided by a myriad of companies, organizations, government agencies, and individual users; and comprises an enormous amount of educational, entertainment, commercial, and government information.

Can you use the internet without service? ›

Here's a brief recap below of how you can get connected to the internet without an internet service provider: Connect to public unsecured Wi-Fi using a VPN for security. Use a new or existing mobile hotspot feature from one of your mobile devices. Buy a portable internet device.

What can you do with Wi-Fi and no internet? ›

Top 5 quick fixes for internet issues
  • Restart your modem and router or internet gateway (modem/router combo) An equipment restart is the golden rule of internet troubleshooting. ...
  • Check your wires and cables. ...
  • Move your router to a better spot. ...
  • Test a different website or online activity. ...
  • Check for an outage.
Jan 4, 2024

Can internet be used without Wi-Fi? ›

You can use the internet without Wi-Fi, but you will have to do so with a wired connection which can be inconvenient.

Can you use the internet with just Wi-Fi? ›

If you don't have (or want) a physical cable connecting your home to the internet, you can still connect with a wireless internet connection. There are tons of different options, including fixed wireless, 4G and 5G home internet, mobile hotspots, and satellite.

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