Welcome to the Sparklight Digital Education Center! This free web page provides resources on how to get started using computers and the Internet. It also offers information on computer and online safety, an overview of social media and additional tips for parents to keep children safe while exploring online.
Internet Basics
Computer Basics
Microsoft and LinkedIn Learning videos cover computer and device basics, working with operating systems and applications, and keeping your computer secure and updated.
Watch video: Learn computer and device basics with Microsoft & LinkedIn Learning (external, transcript and captions available)What is Wi-Fi?
Going online today most commonly involves an invisible connection to the Internet, often through a Wi-Fi connection. Learn more about this technology from Britannica.
Learn what Wi-Fi is from BritannicaInternet 101
Going online, surfing the web, and accessing the Internet are all the same—just different terminology. Learn from GCF Global about the Internet and how to access it in these short videos.
Watch video: Internet 101 introductory videos from GCF Global (external, captions available)
More Internet Basics
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Create a Gmail email account with steps from Google Support
Electronic mail or e-mail gives you the ability to communicate instantly with family and friends around the world. Check out the following steps from Google to set up a Gmail email account.
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Explore health information at MyHealthFinder (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
There are many websites with health tips, but it can be hard to determine what is legitimate and recommended by medical professionals. MyHealthFinder is a website run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human services and has a variety of healthcare tips and information.
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Learn how to stream TV through Allconnect’s guide
Streaming, or watching media through the Internet instead of traditional TV channels, has grown in popularity; the amount of content has also expanded rapidly. This article by Allconnect helps explain how to stream TV.
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Microsoft Support tutorial on how to use Microsoft Word
Microsoft’s program to create document such as letters, brochures and flyers is explained in this tutorial from Microsoft.
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Microsoft Support tutorial on how to use Microsoft Excel
Microsoft’s program for creating and updating spreadsheets is explained in this tutorial from Microsoft.
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Microsoft Support tutorial on how to use Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint helps create presentations and slides. Learn more in this introduction from Microsoft.
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Britannica explanation of what artificial intelligence is
AI, or artificial intelligence, is wildly popular right now. Learn how the technology works and what it creates from Britannica.
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Microsoft 365 article explaining ChatGPT
Learn about ChatGPT, one of the most popular artificial intelligence tools, in this article from Microsoft 365.
More Social Media
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Watch video: What Is Twitter? from Common Sense Media (external, captions available) Video
X (formerly Twitter), is a social media platform that allows users to post short messages, photos, videos or links. See it in action in this video from Common Sense Media.
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Learn what LinkedIn is from Britannica
LinkedIn is a social media platform that is used by many business professionals to promote their businesses, careers and professional advancement opportunities. Learn more from Britannica.
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Watch video: What Is Snapchat? from Common Sense Media (external, captions available) Video
Streaming, or watching media through the Internet instead of traditional TV channels, has grown in popularity; the amount of content has also expanded rapidly. This article by Allconnect helps explain how to stream TV.
Computer & Online Safety
Keep Your Computer Safe and Updated
Learn more from GCF Global regarding what anti-virus software and software updates do for your computer and why you need them.
Watch video: Computer Basics: Protecting Your Computer from LearnFree (external, captions available)Computer Viruses
We all get sick sometimes, but how can a computer catch a virus? Learn about this form of computer problem from Britannica.
Learn what a computer virus is from BritannicaPhishing
Phishing is a type of scam conducted through email where consumers receive emails that look like they come from a reputable source, asking for private information and invading customers’ accounts. Learn more from the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Learn how to recognize and avoid phishing scams from the Federal Trade Commission
More Computer & Online Safety
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Two types of software to be aware of are malware or malicious software and spyware, which can hide on your computer and record your use. Learn more from the United States Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, including how to avoid these scams.
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Learn how to spot and avoid bank phishing scams with ABA’s #BanksNeverAskThat campaign
Fraudsters can pose as your bank through phone calls, emails, texts and fake online websites. Learn from the American Bankers Association about these types of fraud and how to avoid them.
Keeping Kids Safe Online
Online Safety for Kids
Common Sense Media provides five simple tips for keeping kids safe on the Internet.
Watch video: 5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids from Common Sense Media (external, captions available)Credit Freezes for Kids
To protect children from identity theft, parents can take steps to protect their children’s information, including placing a freeze on their credit report. Learn more from the United States Federal Trade Commission, or FTC.
Learn how to protect your child from identity theft (Federal Trade Commission)Parental Controls for Gaming
Parents can set limits on many video game platforms, including time limits, blocking content by age ratings, and setting limits on in-game purchases. Learn more from the Entertainment Software Rating Board.
Learn about parental controls for video games (ESRB)
More for Keeping Kids Safe Online
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Many families find it helpful to have a conversation about parents’ expectations and rules surrounding online and technology usage. This helpful guide by the American Academy of Pediatrics helps families create a plan.
*This web page provides resources on how to get started using computers and the internet, information on computer and online safety, an overview of social media, and additional tips to keep children safe while exploring online. This web page uses information from https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/digital-literacy and links to external websites that provide resources related to its topics. This web page is for informational purposes only. No warranty of any kind, expressed, implied, or statutory, is made regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability, or usefulness of any information, either isolated or in the aggregate. All information is provided “as is.”
Social Media
Social Media Terminology
This video from Common Sense Media explains hashtags, memes, gifs and emojis.
Watch video: ICYMI: 6 Confusing Social Media Terms Explained (external, captions available)TikTok
TikTok is a social media platform for sharing short videos. Here is a quick overview video from Common Sense Media.
Watch video: What Is TikTok? from Common Sense Media (external, captions available)Instagram
Instagram is popular for sharing photos and videos. Learn more from Common Sense Media’s video.
Watch video: What Is Instagram? from Common Sense Media (external, captions available)