Staying in touch with family used to mean waiting by the phone. Today, you can see your grandchildren’s faces from hundreds of miles away. You can watch your favorite shows without paying for cable. You can learn new skills for free, right from your couch. Technology is not just for young people. It is for you too. This guide walks you through video calls, streaming, online safety, and simple settings that make screens easier to read. Take it one step at a time. You do not need to learn everything today. Just start with one thing, and build from there.
Why Video Calling Feels Hard at First
Video calling can feel confusing the first time you try it. That is normal. Most seniors find tablets easier to use than phones for video calls, because the screen is bigger and the buttons are easier to tap. If you have a choice, start with a tablet.
The best way to learn is to go slow. Do not try to master everything in one sitting. First, find the app on your screen and learn what it looks like. Next, practice opening it with someone you trust nearby. Then, try one real call together. Each small step builds your confidence for the next one.
How to Make Your First Video Call
Get Ready Before You Call
A few small changes make a big difference. Set your phone or tablet on a stand instead of holding it. This keeps your arms from getting tired during a long chat. Try to place the camera at eye level, not looking up or down at you. This makes the call feel more like a real conversation.
Your Step-by-Step Guide
- Find the video calling app on your home screen. It might be called FaceTime, Zoom, or WhatsApp.
- Ask a family member to write down the exact steps, or take a photo of each screen for you.
- Practice opening the app by yourself while someone is nearby to help.
- Tap the name of the person you want to call.
- Wait for them to answer, then say hello. That is it. You made a video call.
- When you are done, look for the red button to end the call.
Margaret, age 68, lives two hours from her grandchildren. She felt nervous about technology at first. Her daughter set up a tablet with a stand on her kitchen table and practiced with her once. After three short practice sessions, Margaret could open the app, tap the contact, and say hello on her own. Now she calls her grandchildren every Sunday at 3 p.m. and feels closer to them, even from far away.
One more thing matters as much as the steps. Only accept video calls from people you already know. If something feels off during a call, trust that feeling. You can always ask a question only that person would know the answer to, before you talk about anything private.
Watch More, Pay Less: Streaming Made Simple
You do not need cable to enjoy your favorite shows. Several free options give you hundreds of choices without any monthly bill.
- Tubi offers over 280,000 free movies and TV shows. No subscription needed.
- Pluto TV gives you more than 425 live streaming channels for free. It feels a lot like the cable TV you already know.
- Kanopy offers over 30,000 films at no cost, with no ads, if you have a library card.
- Hoopla is another free option for library card holders.
If you want more choices, a few paid services are affordable too. Netflix with ads costs $7.99 a month. Peacock Select and Paramount+ Essential also cost $7.99 a month. Amazon Prime Video offers a discounted rate of $6.99 a month for people on qualifying government assistance programs. AARP members get 10 percent off any Paramount+ plan for as long as they keep the subscription.
The most budget-friendly plan pairs one paid service with a free one. Many retirees spend just $8 to $13 a month total this way. Prices listed here reflect current rates and may change over time, so this is general information rather than personal financial advice for your household budget.
Dorothy, age 75, lives on a fixed income. She worried she could not afford streaming like her neighbors. At a class at her senior center, she learned about Pluto TV, which is free, and signed up for Netflix with ads for $7.99 a month. Now she has more to watch than she ever had with cable, which used to cost her $22 a month. She also learned her library card unlocks free movies on Kanopy, so she mixes it up depending on her mood.
Protect Yourself from Scams and Fraud
Scams targeting seniors are a real and growing problem. In 2024 alone, adults 60 and older lost a combined $4.8 billion to scams. Some scammers now use artificial intelligence to copy the voice of a family member or a bank employee. This makes scams sound more convincing than ever before.
Phishing scams are the most common type. These come as fake emails or texts that try to trick you into clicking a link. Tech support scams and grandchild impersonation scams come next. In these calls, someone pretends to be a relative in trouble and asks for money right away.
Robert, age 72, got an urgent call from someone who sounded exactly like his grandson. The caller said he needed $5,000 for car trouble. Robert remembered a tip from a free class at his library. He hung up, found his grandson’s real number in his phone, and called him back. His grandson had no idea what he was talking about. It was a scam using AI to copy his voice. By slowing down and checking, Robert kept his $5,000 safe.
Here are simple habits that protect you:
- Create passwords with at least 12 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols.
- If someone claims to be your bank or a family member in trouble, hang up. Call back using a number you look up yourself, never one the caller gives you.
- Scammers want you to panic and act fast. Slowing down breaks their plan.
- Install trusted, free antivirus software on your computer or phone.
- Report anything suspicious to the FTC or the AARP Fraud Watch Network. Both offer free alerts and help.
Make Your Screen Easier to See
Small text is one of the biggest reasons people give up on their devices. The good news is that you can make text and buttons much bigger in just a few taps.
On an iPhone
Go to Settings, then Display and Brightness, then Text Size. Drag the slider to the right until the text feels comfortable. For even bigger text, go to Settings, then Accessibility, then Display and Text Size, and turn on Larger Text.
On an Android Phone
Tap Settings, then Accessibility. Look for the text size option and slide it up until you can read easily. Making text bigger does not slow down your device or drain your battery.
Both iPhone and Android also offer high-contrast modes, bold fonts, and color inversion. These options make words stand out clearly against the background. If your home screen still feels cluttered, apps like Big Launcher and Launcher Senior simplify everything. They use larger icons and fewer menus, so the important things are easy to find.
Free Classes to Learn New Skills
You do not have to figure this out alone. Free help is closer than you think.
- Senior Planet offers free live online classes for adults 60 and older, covering everything from smartphone basics to online safety.
- Public libraries across the country hold free computer classes several times a week, both in person and online.
- Libraries also offer free one-on-one help sessions, usually lasting 30 minutes to an hour. You can bring your own questions.
- Senior centers offer drop-in classes and ongoing courses in a friendly, social setting.
- AT&T and TechBoomers both offer free online tutorials written in plain, simple language.
- Every state has a Department on Aging with a list of local technology classes and resources near you.
Call your local library or senior center this week and ask what classes they offer. Most people are surprised by how much free help is already available in their own neighborhood.
Key Takeaways
- Tablets are often easier than phones for video calls, thanks to their larger screens.
- Practice video calling in small steps: find the app, open it, then try one call.
- Tubi, Pluto TV, Kanopy, and Hoopla offer free movies and shows with no monthly fee.
- Pairing one paid streaming service with a free one often costs just $8 to $13 a month.
- Seniors lost $4.8 billion to scams in 2024, so always verify before you trust an urgent call.
- Hang up and call back using a number you look up yourself if anyone asks for money.
- You can make text bigger and screens easier to read in your phone’s settings, at no cost.
- Libraries, senior centers, and Senior Planet all offer free technology classes and one-on-one help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use video calling apps like Zoom or FaceTime?
Yes, these apps are safe when you only accept calls from people you know. If a family member claims there is an emergency, hang up first. Then call them back on a number you already have saved, not one they just gave you.
How do I make text and buttons bigger on my phone?
On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Display and Brightness, then Text Size, and drag the slider. On Android, tap Settings, then Accessibility, and choose the text size option. Both methods make your whole screen easier to read.
What can I watch for free without paying for streaming?
Tubi and Pluto TV offer hundreds of movies and live channels at no cost. If you have a library card, Kanopy and Hoopla give you thousands of free films with no ads.
How do I protect myself from scams?
Use strong passwords with 12 or more characters. Never click links in unexpected texts or emails. Always hang up and call back using a number you look up yourself. Report anything suspicious to the FTC or the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
Where can I learn how to use new technology for free?
Your local library offers free computer classes and one-on-one help sessions, both in person and online. Senior centers offer classes too, and Senior Planet, AT&T, and TechBoomers all provide free step-by-step lessons online.
Learning new technology takes patience, and that is perfectly okay. Every video call, every free movie, and every safety habit you build makes life a little easier and a little more connected. Pick just one thing from this guide to try this week. You are more capable than you think, and help is always nearby when you need it.
