The digital world is full of buzzwords, apps, and tech terms that can feel confusing if you’re just getting started. This guide breaks down the key terminology you’ll come across online, so you can feel confident, understand what people are talking about, and make smart choices in your digital life.
Click on the terms below to learn what they mean.
The ability to find, evaluate, use, and create digital content effectively and responsibly.
Why it matters: It helps you navigate the online world safely, spot fake news and misinformation, and use technology for learning, education, and development.
Digital safety means protecting yourself and your personal information when using the internet and any digital device, like your mobile phone.
Why it matters: It helps protect you and can prevent cybercrime, online predators, identity theft, scams, cyberbullying, and other online threats and dangers.
Tips:
• Use strong, unique passwords for your online accounts.
• Don’t share your personal information like your ID number, address, phone numbers, or passwords online.
• Be aware of suspicious online activities, links, or messages.
• Update your devices with reliable and the latest security features.
• Talk to your parents, teachers, or a trusted adult if you see something or if someone online makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Your online behaviour – think about it as your manners. The polite and respectful way of communicating online.
Why it matters: Good online manners are important and prevent misunderstanding and conflict.
Tips:
- Do not engage in harsh and hostile online behaviour or activities.
- Respect others online.
- Give credit when sharing someone’s work, music, art, etc.
A Wireless network that allows devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets to connect to the internet without cables.
Why it matters: Wi-Fi provides fast internet access, making it easier and cheaper to stay connected.
The internet access provided by your network provider, allowing you access to the internet and apps when Wi-Fi is not available.
Saving copies of your important files, photos, chats, and data in a separate storage like the Cloud or an external device like a hard drive.
Why it matters: Backups protect your data if your device is lost, stolen, or damaged.
A wireless-enabled technology to connect devices to your headphones, speakers or other phones for sharing information.
Why it matters: It allows quick sharing of files and images, or for connecting accessories.
Using your phone’s mobile data to create a Wi-Fi network for other devices to connect to.
Why it matters: Enables internet sharing where there is no Wi-Fi, but it can drain your battery and use excessive mobile data.
A website or platform that serves as a gateway to access information, services, or resources – like the Jumpstart website.
An online storage space where you can save files and access them from any device with internet access, for example, Google Drive or Dropbox
Why it matters: It saves space on your devices, makes sharing easy, and helps keep your work safe.
Your digital footprint is a collection of all your online activity, such as posts, comments, pictures, clicks, subscriptions, and websites that you visit.
Why it matters: This translates as your digital reputation, and it affects how others see you. This includes your friends, family, teachers, future employers, and complete strangers.
Tips:
- Think before posting and ask yourself, “Will I be comfortable with everyone seeing this now or in the future?”
- Type your name into a Google search and see what will appear when someone searches your name.
- Be respectful and kind online – what you say online is usually there permanently, even if you delete it.
Did you know:
- Every online activity, every click, post, comment, and search, contributes to your digital footprint!
- Anything you post online, including social media, online platforms, and WhatsApp, can be screenshot, saved, or archived even after deletion!
- Your digital reputation can impact your future, potential career, and job opportunities, relationships, and even your criminal status!
- You can do a ‘digital audit’ of your current online presence.
Using digital devices (for example, your mobile phone) to harass, insult, humiliate, spread rumours, fabricate false and dangerous information, or threaten someone online.
Why it’s harmful: It can cause serious harm, emotional pain, and mental health issues for the victim.
Do this:
- Never bully, or engage in online bullying, even if you do not know the person/s.
- Never spread and share rumours online or offline.
- Block and report bullies on social media.
- If you are being cyberbullied or know of someone who is being bullied, report this to a trusted adult.
- Always practice being a good digital citizen.
Being responsible, accountable, and respectful when using digital technology.
Why it matters: It is important to promote and encourage a safe, respectful, and positive online environment.
Do this:
- Respect others’ rights and privacy.
- Abide by online laws and rules.
- Help others learn about digital safety and etiquette.
Fake news is false information spread online. Scams are schemes to manipulate you and steal money, data, or your personal information.
Why it matters: To avoid and help prevent online crime, or being misled and falling victim to fraud.
Tips:
- Fact-check the source of the information before trusting it, believing it, or sharing it.
- Never share your ID number, bank accounts, passwords, or send money/airtime to strangers.
- Talk to your parents, teachers, or a trusted adult if unsure.
A scam where online criminals send fake messages, emails, or SMSs, pretending to be trustworthy, only to steal your personal information, bank account details or hack your online accounts.
Tips:
- Never click on suspicious links or open attachments, emails and SMSs.
- Check the sender’s email address carefully.
- Never share your personal information or passwords online or with anyone!
- Report any suspicious activity and emails.
A person who gains unauthorised access to your computer systems or networks, often to steal data, personal information, online accounts, and cause damage/viruses to your devices.
Why it matters: Hacking can lead to theft of personal information, financial loss, damage to systems and devices.
Tips:
- Never share passwords or personal information online.
- Use strong and unique passwords.
- Do not click or open suspicious links or emails.
Your unique online address is used to send and receive online (mail) communication.
Catchy or sensational headlines designed to grab your attention and make you click on the content, often leading to harmful and unreliable content.
Why it’s a problem: Clickbait can spread fake news, viruses, and scams.
Programmes or software designed to perform specific tasks on smartphones, tablets, computers, games, or educational tools.
Watching or listening to live content over the internet in real-time without the need to download it.
Sharing a live video or audio clip to an online audience, such as social media and other online platforms like WhatsApp.
Online tools and Apps such as Google or Bing to help you find online information. Think of something like an online encyclopedia that gives you several results.
Online platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube where people can watch and share content and post.
An automated programme that performs repetitive tasks on websites or apps. For example, a BOT can answer online questions and collect data.
An AI-powered programme that is designed to simulate a conversation with humans. Often used in customer service, advertising, and marketing.
A language tool programme, designed to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence. For example, you can prompt the programme to write a letter, article, create an image, or a video based on your instructions within seconds or minutes.
Why it matters: AI powers many digital tools that you use on a daily basis, like voice assistants and recommendations. It’s not always accurate, so fact-checking and authenticating are crucial.
Tips:
- Be aware that AI can influence what you see and hear online (recommendations).
- Know that AI systems depend on and learn from data.
- Use AI ethically and responsibly.
A component of AI where computers learn from data to improve its performance over time without the need to be programmed all the time.
Did you know that your online activity can influence machine learning algorithms? Sharing online data can be used to train AI and other systems.
A simulated digital environment that users can interact with, for example, for gaming, education and training.
A physical device inside your phone or computer/laptop where your data is stored. It holds files, documents, photos, videos, and apps.
The physical parts of your device (mobile, computer, tablet, etc), like the CPU, RAM, keyboard and camera.
The programmes and operating systems that run on hardware, like Windows, Android or iOS.
Why it matters: Software makes devices usable and enables tasks like searching, browsing or gaming.
A type of technology that converts written text into spoken words, used in screen readers or virtual assistants.
Why it matters: Helps people with visual impairments, or for listening to content on the go.
Technology that converts spoken words into written text, used in voice typing or transcription tools.
Why it matters: Makes writing faster and allows hands-free operation.
An audio programme or channel that you can listen to and watch online or offline that covers various topics ranging from education to science, health, news, entertainment, politics, arts and music, etc.
Why it matters: It’s a great way to stay informed and learn from some of the world’s top thought leaders and experts.
A digital environment or service where content is created, shared, or accessed – much like this website.
A specific content stream within a platform, like a YouTube channel or TV channel.
A set of step-by-step instructions or rules that a computer follows to solve a problem or perform a task, like recommending a video or an online page.
Why it matters: Algorithms record how you use content, then personalises or sorts it on your device and online platforms. For example, if you watch a lot of online music videos, the algorithm records it and will recommend other or similar content that will show up in your feeds.
An AI-powered programme that helps you perform tasks through voice commands, like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa.
Why it matters: VAs can answer questions, set reminders, or control your smart devices based on your instructions and needs.
How easy and enjoyable it is to use a digital product, app, or website. A good UX means you can navigate and use technology smoothly and efficiently without getting frustrated and annoyed.
Why it matters: A good UX makes technology accessible to everyone. It avoids confusion and frustration and the need to click through or navigate through several points to get to where you want to be.
The layout and visual elements you see on a screen that allows you to interact with a device or app (buttons, icons, music, etc).
Why it matters: A good interface makes using technology intuitive and efficient.
Technology that identifies or authenticates a person’s identity using their face. This feature is often used when unlocking devices or performing security checks.
Technology that allows a device to understand and interpret spoken words to perform commands or transcribe speech into text.
Why it matters: Enables hands-free control and accessibility for people with disabilities.
A security feature that uses your fingerprint to unlock a device or authenticate transactions.
Why it matters: It’s fast and more secure than passwords.
A small chip in your phone that stores your phone number, contacts and network information.
Why it matters: It connects your device to your mobile network and allows you to make calls, and use data.
Tools, devices, and electronic systems created through scientific knowledge to solve problems, or improve life, like smartphones, computers or the internet. Remember the first time you used a hand calculator?
Why it matters: It drives innovation and efficiency in communication in today’s digital world.
Any media content that is delivered via an electronic device such as a TV, radio, internet, social media, podcasts or digital newspapers.
Why it matters: It’s a source of information, news, entertainment and education to anyone with online access.
When digital systems, algorithms, or content favour certain groups, ideas, or outcomes over others. This is not intentional and is a result of the data and design choices.
Why it matters: As with any bias, it can influence the information you see, how decisions are made, and perpetuate stereotypes.
When digital information or content is unclear and open to multiple interpretations.
Why it matters: Ambiguity can lead to misunderstanding or manipulation.
The fast memory in computers and smartphones that temporarily stores data using the device’s processor.
Why it matters: More RAM allows your device to run multiple apps smoothly and quickly.
The ‘brain’ of your computer or device that processes instructions and runs programmes.
An open-source operating system developed by Google for smartphones and tablets.
The operating system created by Apple for iPhones and iPads.