Help a loved one to get online

You don't have to be a tech expert to help a loved on to get online. Follow our quick tips to get started.

Anyone can help people to learn something new about getting online. You just need to be patient, friendly, and remember to keep your hands off their device. 

Video transcript

You don’t have to be a tech expert to help someone get online.

Anyone can help a loved one to feel safer and more confident.

Whether you’re close by or far from home these tips can help you get started

Don’t do online tasks for them!

Explain steps in plain English

Be patient and positive

Go at their pace

Celebrate small wins along the way

Get help from free resources and local organisations if you need it!

Help your loved one this Get Online Week so everyone can get online safely and confidently

Get Online Week. A campaign by Good Things.

Lots of people need a helping hand to learn new technology and get online safely and confidently. Teaching people digital skills makes sure they have the tools and knowledge needed to do essential activities like connect with loved ones, bank online and avoid scams. 

The good news is you don’t have to be a tech expert. These simple tips can help you to support someone you love to get online.

Don’t do it for them

People remember knowledge and skills better if they put into practice what they’re learning and do it themselves.

Taking a hands off approach when you’re showing someone how to use a device or navigating the internet will help them feel more confident at picking up their device and giving things a go when you’re not around.

Instead of touching their device, describe each step and wait for them to do each one themselves.

Use their hobbies and interests to motivate them

The person you’re helping will be more motivated to learn how if you show them something useful and positive they can do in their everyday life.

Does the person like gardening? Show them a gardening website. Cooking? Show them some cooking tutorials on YouTube.

Relating activities back to real life examples will help motivate people to learn more.

Explain in plain English

Tech is full of jargon. Clearly explaining each step in everyday words will help people to follow your instructions.

If you have to use a techy term, take the time to explain what it means. If you aren’t sure how to do that, look it up together or ask AI to help! Just remember to check that it has gotten the info right!

Top tip: Even phrases like “URL”, “browser” or “menu” can be tricky if you don’t know what they mean. Try explaining them using visual cues instead.

Be patient & positive

Patience is key when showing someone anything new for the first time, and using a device and the internet is no different.

People learn in different ways and at different speeds. Some will pick it up straight away while others like to go over things a few times to make sure they’ve got it right.

Appreciating this and congratulating them on little milestones will help keep people on track and their confidence increasing.

Top Tip: Check out our library of resources to help someone learn or take a look at the free Be Connected website.

Go at their pace

It can take time to build someones confidence to use their device or doing something online.

As with any new skill, it takes time to develop the knowledge needed to feel good about using the internet. Managing their expectations will help prevent them from feeling like they’re not understanding it quick enough, that it’s too much to learn, or that they are a burden to you.

Celebrate small wins

Successfully filled in an online form? Took their first selfie? These are all great milestones to stop and say well done to the person you are supporting.

Be aware of tools to help you help them

There are lots of free resources to help people get to grips with their device and the internet. Have a look around and see what you can find to help them broaden their knowledge and increase their confidence.

Top Tip: Check out our library of resources to help you help others.

Know when to seek support, and where to find it

Teaching anyone a new skill can be challenging. It requires patience and time. Sometimes it can be difficult to find enough of both.

Fortunately, there is free, local support.

Our map has details of thousands of community organisations in Good Things’ network that all share a passion for digital inclusion.

Or, contact us to be matched with a community organisation offering free support or to find out more about becoming a digital mentor.