Module 8: Stay Connected
What you will learn: How to use video calls, shared photo albums, and group messages to strengthen your family bonds. Why texting has changed modern communication, when to text before calling, and which messaging app is right for you. The difference between public posts and private messages — and how to avoid embarrassing mix-ups. Plus, the Personal Relationship Manager project to keep track of important dates and memories.
Gloria, 75, has three children and seven grandchildren. Two of her children live nearby, but her youngest daughter moved to Calgary for work. Before Gloria learned to use FaceTime, she saw her Calgary grandchildren twice a year — at Christmas and during summer vacation.
"Now I see them every Sunday morning," Gloria says, her eyes lighting up. "We have 'Grandma Gloria's Sunday Breakfast Club.' I make my coffee, they make their pancakes, and we eat breakfast together over FaceTime. My littlest granddaughter, who is four, shows me her drawings. My grandson tells me about his hockey games. It is the highlight of my week."
Gloria also shares photos with her whole family through a shared album, sends birthday messages through group texts, and keeps a digital notebook of important dates and memories. "Technology did not replace being there in person," she says. "But it gave me so much more time with my family than I would have had otherwise."
The best video calls happen in good lighting. Sit facing a window or lamp so your family can see your face clearly. Natural light is best.
Video Calls: Seeing Family Face to Face
FaceTime is Apple's video calling app. It comes already installed on your iPad and iPhone. Think of it as a telephone call where you can see each other — like looking through a window into each other's homes.
Making a FaceTime Video Call
FaceTime Call in Progress
During a FaceTime call, the other person appears large on your screen. A small preview in one corner shows what your camera is sending to them — tap it to move it to a different corner.
Prop up your iPad. Lean it against something sturdy so you do not have to hold it the whole time. A cookbook stand or a stack of books works well.
Good lighting. Sit facing a window so the light is on your face, not behind you. If the light is behind you, the other person will see a dark silhouette.
Speak naturally. You do not need to shout. FaceTime microphones work well at normal speaking volume.
The small picture is you. The small rectangle in the corner shows what your camera sees. The large image is the other person.
Google Meet is the easiest way to make video calls on Android. It is free and comes pre-installed on most Android devices. Think of it as a telephone call where you can see each other — like looking through a window into each other's homes.
Making a Video Call with Google Meet
Google Meet Call
Google Meet shows a Copy invite button that creates a meeting link. Paste it into a text or email and the recipient can join your video call with a single tap.
Prop up your device. Lean it against something sturdy so you do not have to hold it. A cookbook stand or a stack of books works well.
Good lighting. Sit facing a window so the light is on your face, not behind you.
Speak naturally. You do not need to shout. The microphone works well at normal volume.
The small picture is you. The small rectangle in the corner shows what your camera sees. The large image is the other person.
Confidence Check: Video calls are like having your loved ones visit your kitchen table any time you want. You are mastering a beautiful way to stay close.
You can now make a video call to anyone in your contacts. That is a powerful skill for staying close to the people you love.
Gloria turned Sunday mornings into family time with just this one skill.
Group Video Calls: The Whole Family at Once
You can have a video call with multiple family members at the same time! This is perfect for family meetings, birthday celebrations, or holiday gatherings when not everyone can be in the same room.
Starting a Group FaceTime Call
Starting a Group Video Call with Google Meet
Shared Photo Albums: A Family Scrapbook
A shared photo album is like a family scrapbook that everyone can add to. You create it once, invite family members, and then anyone can add photos. When your granddaughter takes a picture of her art project, it appears in your shared album automatically.
Creating a Shared Photo Album (Apple Photos)
Creating a Shared Album (Google Photos)
Shared Family Album
A shared photo album lets every invited family member add their own pictures. Browse all contributions in one place — like a family photo album that updates itself automatically.
Confidence Check: A shared album means you never miss a moment, even when your family is spread across the country. What a wonderful way to stay connected.
When inviting family to a shared photo album, ask them to add photos too. The album becomes a living family scrapbook that everyone contributes to.
Group Messages: The Family Chat
A group message is like a family group chat — everyone sees every message, and you can all respond. Great for planning dinners, sharing news, or sending a quick "thinking of you."
Creating a Family Group Message (iMessage)
Creating a Family Group Message (Google Messages)
Group Message Conversation
A group message shows everyone's name and messages in different coloured bubbles. Type once and everyone in the group receives your reply — perfect for family check-ins.
You now know how to make video calls, share photo albums, and keep your family connected through group messages.
These are the tools that turn distance into closeness.
Only add people you know and trust to group messages and shared albums. If you receive a group message invitation from someone you do not recognise, do not join it — it could be spam.
Understanding Text Messages and Messaging Apps
Harold, 78, spent 45 years as a plumber and values direct communication. For years, his habit was to call his adult children whenever something came to mind — a question about Sunday dinner, a reminder about a doctor's appointment, a thought about the weather. His children and grandchildren loved him deeply, but Harold noticed they sometimes did not pick up. He felt hurt. Were they ignoring him?
His daughter Patricia explained it gently one evening: "Dad, when my phone rings unexpectedly, I panic — I think something is wrong. If you send a quick text first, I know it is just a chat and I can call back when the kids are settled." Harold tried it. Within a week, his callbacks went from 50 percent to nearly 100 percent. "I was calling the right people," he said. "I was just ringing the wrong doorbell."
Why Texting Has Become the New Normal
For most of our lives, calling someone on the phone was the obvious choice. If you wanted to talk, you called. Simple.
That has changed significantly in the last decade — and not because people care less. The shift happened for practical reasons:
- People are busier and less predictable. Your grandchildren may be in class, at work, or wrangling a toddler when the phone rings. A text waits patiently until they have a moment.
- Texts can be answered at any volume. In a meeting, at a movie, or putting a baby to sleep, a ringing phone is disruptive. A text is silent.
- Texts leave no voicemail anxiety. Many younger people find voicemail stressful — they often will not listen to it for days. A text appears instantly and is read immediately.
- Texts create a record. You can refer back to what was agreed — the dinner time, the address, the date.
If your children or grandchildren do not always pick up, please do not take it personally. It is almost never about you. The world changed how it communicates. Learning to text helps you meet them where they are — and you will likely hear from them more, not less.
The New Courtesy: Text Before You Call
In today's world, calling someone without warning is a bit like dropping by their house unannounced. It might be fine — or it might catch them at a terrible moment. A brief text first is now considered a polite courtesy, the way knocking before entering was always good manners.
The Two-Second Text
Before calling, send: "Do you have a few minutes to chat?" or "Free to talk?" — Your family sees it, replies when ready, and the actual phone call is relaxed and unhurried. No voicemail. No missed connections.
When you can skip the pre-text entirely:
- Emergencies — call immediately, no text needed
- Very close family who have told you it is always fine to call
- Scheduled calls — if you have a standing Sunday call, no need to pre-text every week
- Calling a landline — pre-texting is mainly for mobile phones
Confidence Check: Sending a quick text before calling is a small habit that makes a big difference. Your family will love that you understand how they communicate.
Choosing the Right Messaging App
You may have noticed that messages can be sent in different ways — and that your family uses different apps on different devices. Here is a plain-language guide to the four most common options:
Start with regular text messages (SMS) — they work on every phone without any setup. When your family uses WhatsApp and invites you to join, that is a great second step. You do not need to use all of them.
Regular Text Messages (SMS / MMS)
Regular Text (SMS)
The built-in Messages app on your phone. Works on every mobile phone everywhere in the world with no setup. On iPhone, messages to other iPhones turn blue (iMessage) and are free. Messages to Android turn green and may use your text plan minutes.
- Cost: Usually included in your phone plan. International texts may cost extra.
- Internet needed: No — works on cellular signal alone
- Who has it: Every phone on the planet
- Best for: Anyone, anywhere — the universal fallback
- Privacy: Standard — your carrier can see the messages
The world's most popular messaging app — used by over 2 billion people. Free to download and use. Uses your phone number as your identity, so you do not need a new username or password. Great for international messages (free, uses WiFi/data instead of your carrier plan).
- Cost: Free (uses WiFi or phone data)
- Internet needed: Yes — WiFi or cellular data
- Who has it: 2 billion+ users worldwide, very common in Canadian families
- Best for: Families with members overseas, sending photos and voice messages easily
- Privacy: End-to-end encrypted (messages scrambled so only sender and receiver can read them)
Signal
Signal — Most Private Option
A free, non-profit messaging app that is widely considered the gold standard for privacy. Your messages cannot be read by anyone except the recipient — not even Signal itself. Recommended by security experts and privacy advocates worldwide.
- Cost: Free, non-profit (no ads, no data selling)
- Internet needed: Yes — WiFi or cellular data
- Who has it: Less common than WhatsApp — good if your family cares about privacy
- Best for: Private conversations, sharing sensitive information
- Privacy: Maximum — end-to-end encrypted with no data collection
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger
A messaging app connected to your Facebook account. If you are already on Facebook and so is your family, Messenger is already available to you. It works like texting but through Facebook — you can send messages, voice notes, photos, and make video calls.
- Cost: Free (uses WiFi or phone data)
- Internet needed: Yes — WiFi or cellular data
- Who has it: Anyone with a Facebook account
- Best for: People already using Facebook who want to message without sharing their phone number
- Privacy: Lower — Facebook collects and uses your conversation data for advertising
| App | Cost | Needs Internet? | Privacy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMS | Included in plan | No | Standard | Everyone, everywhere |
| Free | Yes | Good | Families, international | |
| Signal | Free | Yes | Maximum | Privacy-conscious users |
| Messenger | Free | Yes | Lower | Facebook users |
You do not need to use every app. Start with what you have, add one more when your family invites you, and stop there. Two apps is plenty for most people.
How to Download and Set Up WhatsApp (Step-by-Step)
WhatsApp is often the best second app to learn because so many Canadian families use it, it is free, and it is very easy to set up — it uses your existing phone number, so there is nothing new to memorize.
Setting Up WhatsApp on iPhone or iPad
Setting Up WhatsApp on Android
WhatsApp is primarily a phone app. To use it on your Windows computer, go to web.whatsapp.com in your browser. You will need to scan a QR code with your phone to link them — this is covered in Module 4. The phone app is much easier for most people.
WhatsApp is safe to download — it is made by Meta (the same company as Facebook) and used by over 2 billion people worldwide. However, scammers do sometimes use it. The rules are the same as with any message: never send money, never share banking information, and never click suspicious links — even from people who seem to be family members (accounts can be hacked). When in doubt, call the person directly to confirm.
Confidence Check: You now understand every major messaging option available to you. You know when to text, when to call, and which app is right for which situation. Harold would be proud.
Public vs. Private — Who Can See What You Share?
This is one of the most important things to understand about social media — and one of the most common sources of embarrassment and confusion for new users.
Jean, 72, loves birds. Every morning she sits by her kitchen window with her coffee and watches the cardinals at her feeder. One March morning, a pair of brilliant red cardinals came together for the first time that season. Jean was thrilled. She wanted to tell her daughter Susan about it.
Jean opened Facebook, typed "Susan! Both cardinals are here this morning! The male is so bright today. Wish you could see this!" — and hit the big blue Post button.
That evening, her phone rang. It was her neighbour Doris, her book club friends Patricia and Margo, and three people she barely knew from church — all wanting to chat about cardinals. Jean was mortified. She had not sent Susan a private message. She had posted it publicly on her Facebook timeline, where all 47 of her Facebook friends (and anyone they shared it with) could see it.
"I thought I was sending Susan a note," Jean said. "I didn't realise I was putting it on a bulletin board."
The Two Types of Digital Communication
Think of it this way: there are two completely different things you can do with a message, and they look surprisingly similar on the screen.
Private Message — The Sealed Envelope
Like putting a letter in a sealed envelope addressed to one person. Only the recipient opens it and reads it. Nobody else sees it — not their friends, not yours, not even Facebook (if using encrypted apps like WhatsApp). Examples: SMS text, WhatsApp message, Facebook Messenger chat.
Public Post — The Bulletin Board
Like pinning a note to a bulletin board in a busy shopping centre. Hundreds of people walk past and read it. Even if you wrote it to one person, everyone else can see it too. Examples: Facebook timeline post ("What's on your mind?"), Twitter/X post, Instagram photo, Facebook Group post.
How to Tell the Difference on Facebook
Facebook makes this confusing because both options are on the same screen. Here is how to know which one you are using:
- You opened the app by tapping a person's name or profile picture
- The top of the screen shows the person's name and photo
- There is a text box at the bottom of the screen where you type
- After sending, you see a small checkmark (✓) showing it was delivered to that person only
- The button says "Send" — not "Post"
- You are on the main Facebook screen (your News Feed)
- You see a box that says "What's on your mind, [Your Name]?"
- There is a small globe icon 🌐 or the word "Public" or "Friends" near the post button
- The button says "Post" — not "Send"
- After posting, the content appears on your Timeline where all your friends can see it
The Safety Rule That Prevents Embarrassment
Before you tap Post or Send — look for a globe icon 🌐. If you can see one, you are about to post publicly. Stop.
If you intended to send a private message, close this window and go to Messenger (the speech bubble icon) or your regular text messages instead.
No globe icon? You are in a private conversation. You are safe to send.
Over time, telling private from public becomes natural — just like knowing the difference between picking up the phone and mailing a postcard. For now, the Globe Rule is your safety net.
These things should always go in a private message, never a public post:
- Your home address, phone number, or email
- When your house will be empty ("We're heading to Florida for two weeks!")
- Photos of grandchildren's full names, school, or daily routines
- Financial details or health information
- Anything you would not want a stranger at the bus stop to read
You now understand the difference between a private message and a public post. Jean now sends Susan a text message when the cardinals arrive — and her bird watching stays between them.
Before tapping "Post," look for the globe. That one habit prevents most social media surprises.
The Personal Relationship Manager
This is a special project idea that brings everything together. A Personal Relationship Manager is your private notebook for keeping track of the people you care about. You can use the built-in Notes app on your iPad to create one.
Here is what to include for each important person:
- Their birthday (and the birthdays of their children)
- Important dates (anniversary, work promotion, retirement date)
- Recent conversations — what did they tell you last time you talked? What were they worried about? What were they excited about?
- Interests and preferences — favourite restaurant, preferred flowers, hobby they are passionate about
- Gift ideas — things they mentioned wanting throughout the year
- Health notes — upcoming appointments, medications (if they have shared this with you)
Setting Up Your Personal Relationship Manager in Notes
Notes App
The Notes app works like a digital notebook with folders. Create a folder called My People and keep one note per family member with their phone number, birthday, and key details.
Remembering small details about the people you love makes them feel valued and seen. Your Personal Relationship Manager helps you be the kind of friend, parent, and grandparent who never forgets what matters. It is one of the most meaningful uses of your iPad.
Using the Calendar for Important Dates
Adding a Birthday to Your Calendar
Calendar Birthday Reminder
Adding a birthday to your Calendar app with Repeat: Every Year means your device reminds you automatically on that date every year — you will never forget another birthday.
Confidence Check: You are using technology for what it does best — bringing people closer together. This is the heart of digital confidence.
Staying Connected Tutorials
FaceTime Tutorial for Seniors
Make free video calls to family and friends on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Watch TutorialsShare Photos with Family
Create shared albums so family automatically sees your latest photos.
Watch TutorialsThese links open YouTube in a new tab. YouTube is safe and free to use — you can watch as many videos as you like without signing in.
📚 New to YouTube? Learn how to spot quality videos and avoid ads
Practical Exercise: Family Connection Project
- Send a "pre-text" before your next call. The next time you want to call a family member, send "Do you have a few minutes to chat?" first and see what happens.
- Make a FaceTime or video call to a family member or friend. Even a two-minute "hello, I'm practising!" counts.
- Download WhatsApp if a family member uses it — follow the steps in this module. Your first message can simply be "Hi, this is [your name] — I just set up WhatsApp!"
- Create a shared photo album and invite at least one family member. Add a few photos to get it started.
- Start your Personal Relationship Manager. Open Notes, create a "My People" folder, and write one entry for someone important to you.
- Add one birthday to your Calendar with a yearly repeat and a one-week reminder.
Well done! You have made a video call, shared photos with family, and started your Personal Relationship Manager. Your device is now a bridge to the people you love.
🤝 Need In-Person Help?
Your local community offers free technology support for seniors:
Your Local Library
Many libraries offer free tech workshops and one-on-one help sessions.
Senior Centre
Community centres often host technology classes and support groups.
Connected Canadians
Free one-on-one tech support by phone or video call.
1-855-808-0505
Cyber-Seniors
Free tech training from trained volunteers.
1-844-217-3057
Congratulations! You have completed all 8 modules!
You started this journey worried about technology. Now you can navigate your iPad, protect yourself from scams, manage your passwords, download safe apps, communicate via email and text, handle online banking, express your creativity, and stay connected with your family. That is an extraordinary achievement. You should be deeply proud of yourself.
Technology changes, but the skills you have learned here — patience, careful observation, the 3-Second Rule, and the confidence to try new things — will serve you no matter what comes next. You are not "bad with technology." You are a capable, intelligent person who now has the knowledge to use these tools with confidence and joy.
Keep exploring. Keep learning. Keep connecting with the people you love. And remember: you can always come back to these modules any time you need a refresher. This is your resource, and it will be here whenever you need it.
Feeling Stuck?
You do not have to figure this out alone. These free services are staffed by real, patient people who love helping:
Connected Canadians — 1-855-808-0505
Cyber-Seniors — 1-844-217-3057
Both services are free, Canadian, and specialise in helping older adults with technology at your own pace.
How Communication Has Changed
Not long ago, if you wanted to reach someone, you picked up the phone and called. Today, many people — especially younger family members — prefer to send a quick message before calling. This is sometimes called "pre-texting": a short message to say "Are you free to talk?" before the phone rings.
This is not rudeness — it is simply a new habit. Understanding it can help you stay connected with the people you love, on their terms and yours.
Texting Apps: What Are the Differences?
There are several apps your family might use to send messages. Here is a plain-English guide to the most common ones.
📱 Regular Text Message (SMS)
What it is: The basic texting that comes built into every phone.
Best for: Simple messages to anyone, on any phone.
Cost: Usually included in your phone plan. Uses your mobile data or plan minutes — not Wi-Fi.
Privacy: Basic. Not encrypted.
💬 iMessage (Apple only)
What it is: Apple's built-in messaging. Works between iPhones, iPads, and Macs automatically.
Best for: Chatting with family who also have Apple devices.
Cost: Free — uses Wi-Fi or mobile data, not your texting plan.
Privacy: Good. Messages are encrypted between Apple devices.
What it is: A free messaging app owned by Meta (Facebook's parent company). Very popular worldwide and with many Canadian families.
Best for: Staying in touch across different phone types, including international calls and messages at no extra cost.
Cost: Free — uses Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Privacy: Good encryption, but Meta collects some usage data.
🔵 Facebook Messenger
What it is: A messaging app connected to your Facebook account.
Best for: Chatting with people you are already connected with on Facebook.
Cost: Free — uses Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Privacy: Lower than others. Facebook uses your data for advertising.
🔒 Signal
What it is: A messaging app built specifically for privacy.
Best for: Anyone who wants the strongest possible privacy for their messages.
Cost: Free — uses Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Privacy: Excellent. Fully encrypted. No ads. No data collection.
Public vs. Private: An Important Guardrail
One of the most common mistakes on social media is sharing something privately intended — but accidentally posting it publicly. Here is how to think about it:
Before you post anything on Facebook, ask yourself:
"Would I be comfortable if everyone in my town saw this?"
If the answer is no — send it as a private message instead.
Examples of what belongs in a private message, not a public post:
- Personal health updates about yourself or a family member
- Your home address, phone number, or travel plans
- Disagreements or frustrations with another person
- Financial information of any kind
- Photos of grandchildren (ask parents first — always)
Before hitting "Post" on Facebook or any social platform — pause for three seconds. Check: Is this meant for everyone, or just one person? If just one person, use a private message instead.
Quick Answers
FaceTime is the easiest option if you and your family member both have Apple devices. Open FaceTime, tap the + button, type their name or phone number, and tap the video camera icon. It works over Wi-Fi at no extra charge.
Yes — use WhatsApp. It works on both iPhones and Android phones and is free over Wi-Fi. Once both of you have WhatsApp installed, open a chat, tap the phone icon, and choose the video camera option.
Facebook is a common way to stay in touch, but set your privacy settings to Friends Only so only people you approve can see your posts. Do not accept friend requests from people you do not know personally.
A group video call lets three or more people see and talk to each other at the same time. FaceTime supports up to 32 people. WhatsApp supports up to 8. Zoom is popular for larger family groups and is free to download.