Digital Literacy 101 — Tech Terms Explained
Have you ever heard words like Wi-Fi, iCloud, or two-factor authentication and felt unsure what they mean? You are not alone. Technology has its own language — and nobody was born knowing it.
This glossary has 120+ terms explained in plain language, with real-world analogies and Canadian examples. Search for any word, browse by category, or switch to French. Come back whenever you need a reminder — this page will always be here and is always available.
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⭐ Senior Tech Stars
Real wins from people just like you. Every one of these moments started with someone who was not sure they could do it.
Margaret, 74 — Video calling her granddaughter
Margaret's granddaughter moved to Halifax three years ago. They had been texting, but Margaret had never seen her face on a screen. Last Sunday she pressed the green FaceTime button and her granddaughter picked up on the first ring. "She was in her kitchen making tea. I could see her whole apartment. I didn't know you could do that — just see someone's whole life like that, for free." Every expert was once a beginner.
Raymond, 81 — Online banking for the first time
Raymond had driven to the TD branch every Friday morning for thirty-seven years. His daughter finally sat with him and walked him through the app. He checked his balance, paid a utility bill, and saw six months of statements — all from his kitchen chair. "I kept waiting for something to go wrong. Nothing did. I think I've been making that drive for nothing." Every expert was once a beginner.
Priya, 68 — Sharing a photo by email
Priya took a photo of her backyard in October — the maple at its peak. She had been carrying it in her phone for weeks with no idea how to share it. Her neighbour showed her how to attach it to an email. She sent it to her sister in Mississauga and her two brothers in Brampton. "My sister said it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She printed it and put it on her wall. That photo was just sitting in my phone." Every expert was once a beginner.
Frank, 76 — Using Google to settle a debate
Frank and his friend George had been arguing for twenty minutes about which year the CN Tower opened. Frank typed it into Google on his phone. "1976. I was right. George said I must have remembered wrong and I said no, look — here it is, right here, from the CN Tower's own website. I've never won an argument that fast in my life." Every expert was once a beginner.
Lorraine, 73 — Video calling her doctor
Lorraine's family doctor offered a virtual appointment during a cold snap last January. She almost rescheduled — the idea of talking to a screen felt strange. Her son set it up on her tablet the night before. "Dr. Patel looked exactly the same as in the office, just smaller. She checked my medication, we talked about my knee — a full appointment. And I never had to put on my boots." Every expert was once a beginner.