Glossary of digital terms for young children

age restriction   

Age restrictions apply to games, films and programs. The age restriction tells you what kind of age group the content is suitable for. Age restrictions must be followed because they protect children. The S rating (suitable for all ages, in Finnish) means that the film is suitable for everyone and it is always safe to watch. Social media applications such as TikTok, Snapchat and WhatsApp also have age restrictions. That is why you should always ask for permission to use an application. If something that you see online, in a game or in a film begins to bother you, tell about it to a trusted adult.

application, app 

An application or app is a program or a game that you can download on a device. You can find applications in application stores or directly on websites. You may have to pay for the applications or they may be free. There are many interesting applications that will help you to learn new things. What applications do you have on your phone or tablet? What is your favourite application?

application store 

An application store is a shop in which you can search for free services and services that you have to pay for. You can use a search term to search for applications. Games are often applications, too. AppStore and Play Store are among the best-known application stores.

artificial intelligence  

A computer or an application can do things that are considered intelligent after it has been taught to do them. This is called artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence can also learn to function better as the time goes by and it practices. Artificial intelligence is not a living being, but a manmade machine or a program. Because artificial intelligence learns, it can help people in many situations.  For example, artificial intelligence is used in a drone that flies a post delivery to the desired address. AI is the abbreviation for artificial intelligence.

ban 

A ban means that a person is denied entry somewhere on the internet. Bans usually last only for some time. A ban may be imposed, for example, for not complying with the rules of a game or an online conversation. Banning also means that a person prevents another person from contacting them. The banned person then cannot usually ring or send a message to them.

battery 

A battery is a device that stores electric power. You have to charge the battery regularly so that it will have enough power. Batteries are used in many digital devices, such as phones and tablets. The battery is often located hidden inside the device.  

blog 

A blog means written texts compiled on a website. They are written by one or more people. Anyone can set up a blog of their own and share it. In addition to texts, a blog may also have pictures and videos. A blog that consists only of videos is called a vlog. 

Bluetooth 

Bluetooth is a technology that transfers music, sounds or images very fast from one device to another without a cable. For example, headphones or a loudspeaker may use Bluetooth. You will always recognise Bluetooth from this icon. Do you know how to use Bluetooth to connect a phone to another device? 

to boot 

Sometimes, a device does not work normally. It may then help if you first switch it off completely and then restart it. This is called restarting or booting.

browser    

A browser is an application that you can use to browse texts, pictures and videos on websites. You can use the links on the websites to move to other websites. For example, Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Edge are browsers.

to charge 

When the batteries of devices are charged, electric energy is transmitted to them so that the devices can be used.

chat 

A chat is a conversation taking place online or the place in which people have the conversation. A chat may be a conversation of two people or up to hundreds of people may participate in it. In a chat, you can sometimes have a conversation with a bot, a chatbot. You can have chat conversations on a website, in the chats of games and in messaging services such as WhatsApp, Signal and Snapchat. Chats usually have an age restriction. It is important that everyone participates in the chat in a positive way and is not mean to anyone. If you encounter a problem in a chat, you should always inform the chat administrator or a familiar adult.

cloud 

The cloud is a bit like an invisible “storage room” for storing information on the internet. A device does not always have enough memory for everything you would like to store. Large amounts of information can be stored in services that are said to be in the cloud. The word cloud is used as an image for information that is not stored in the device. The contents in the cloud can easily be shared with others.

computer 

A computer is a device programmed by people. It processes information digitally. There are different kinds of computers. A computer is connected to the internet. Traditionally, computers, laptops (portable computers) and tablets are considered computers. Phones, games consoles and smart watches are also computers. You can use a computer to do a very wide variety of things, for example, to browse the internet, make purchases, have conversations with other people, work, study, watch films, play games or listen to music. Many devices have a computer that controls their functioning. For example, some cars are controlled by computers.

cookie 

A cookie is data, or information, which is stored when you visit a website or download applications from the internet using a tablet, a phone or a computer. For example, cookies store data about what you have last searched for online or where you are at the moment. The data saved by cookies can be used for different purposes, such as advertising. When a website requests your permission to use cookies, you can decide what information you want to give to the site. For example, you can refuse to give your location data, in which case the website administrator does not know where you are using the phone. Cookies are sometimes useful as they can help us to find the best route from one place to another or to find an outing destination that is suitable for us. Sometimes you have to allow a cookie to make an application work right.

to copy    

You can move a text, picture, sound or something else from one place to another by copying. Copying also means imitating, which means doing the same as someone else. And making a copy of a paper with a photocopier is also called copying.

copyright 

When someone creates a piece of work, they have the right to determine how it will be used. Copyright means that the maker can decide what they want to do with their own work. Art, films, compositions, books and other content made by people are all works. You, too, have the right to your own works, for example, to the videos and pictures you have taken. You must not use other people’s works without permission.

to crash 

When a device sometimes does not work, we call it crashing. Crashing can be caused, for example, by a poor internet connection.  A car may also crash in a traffic accident when it collides with something.

cursor 

The cursor is a symbol on the device screen. It blinks to show the place where you are entering text. You can move the cursor with the mouse or the arrow keys of the keyboard. If you have a touchscreen or a touchpad, you can move the cursor by moving your finger.

cyber security 

Cyber security means security related to digital devices. Digital devices are used to handle information that you do not want to share with others. A cyber attack means an attack on computers. During the attack, important information is stolen or destroyed. Everyone can improve the security of digital devices. For example, cyber security means that we look after our passwords.

hacker 

A hacker is a person that uses a computer and an internet connection very cleverly to intrude into data storages. Sometimes hackers work without permission, but sometimes they may also have the permission to investigate information. The word hacker also means a clever computer enthusiast.

hashtag 

A hashtag or keyword is a combination of the hashtag character and a word. It looks like this: #dog. A hashtag is used, for example, when you post an image or a text in the social media. The word is written directly after the character: #forest #January #preprimaryschool. Hashtags help to find stories about a specific topic. The hashtag character is also called a tag.

HDMI and USB connectors   

HDMI and USB are connecting methods that can be used to join different devices with cables.  
HDMI is a connector for transferring images and sound. HDMI cables are used in televisions, games consoles and computer displays, among other things. A USB connector can be used, for example, to charge a phone or to connect a mouse, a keyboard or a phone to a computer. Currently, there are different kinds of USB connections. In the future, the USB-C connection will be compatible with all phones. This means that you will be able to use the same cable to charge all phones. HDMI is an abbreviation for High-Definition Multimedia Interface, and USB an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus.

home screen 

The home screen or the workspace is what you see on the computer, tablet or phone when you switch it on. In this view, you can choose what you want to do with the device. For example, you can open an internet browser, a game or some other application.

icon 

An icon is a small picture on the screen of the device. When you tap it, an application opens. In applications and programs, different things such as saving happen when you tap icons. The word icon also means a religious image of the Orthodox Church.

to identify oneself 

Identification makes it possible to use many services, such as games, online. You often need a username and a password to identify yourself. In some services, you can identify yourself with your facial picture or fingerprint. Sometimes strong identification is required for using services. Strong identification can be done, for example, with online banking codes.

image processing software 

Image processing software can be used to improve or edit pictures. You should practise image processing, it is fun! Different applications for processing images are available in application stores. Editing pictures is fairly easy, so you should not believe in everything you see in pictures that you come across.

installing 

Installing means downloading an application to the memory of a device or to the cloud. Installing is sometimes fast. Sometimes it may be interrupted, for example, if the device does not have enough memory available or the internet connection breaks down. Installing can also mean setting up an electric device.

internet 

The internet is a worldwide system of information networks. It connects millions and millions of devices with one another. People send messages, photos, videos and information constantly.  

You could imagine that the people who use digital devices and the devices form a huge network in which even people who are far away are close to each other – through the internet. Have you thought about all the things we can do online?

keyboard 

Letters, numbers and some functions for controlling the computer are used with the keyboard, the keys of which you press with your fingers. The keyboard of a phone or tablet becomes visible on the screen when you touch the area in which you can type. Some devices have a separate keyboard. It is a good idea to practise using a keyboard.

to lag 

Sometimes a device may have a problem that makes it function slowly. This is called lagging. The device may lag because too many applications are running on it and it does not have enough memory. It may also be slow because there are problems with the internet connection. What else does to lag mean?

to like 

When you see something nice in the social media, you can like it. You mark your liking by tapping the picture of a heart or a thumb.

link   

A link moves you from one place to another online, often to another website. You can often notice a link from its colour, which changes when you touch the link with the cursor or your finger. The link often tells you what site you are moving to. Links can be copied and shared with others. Links can also be placed behind a QR code. The link will then open when you scan the code.

live 

A live broadcast is an event or performance that you can follow on your device when it happens in real life. The word live is also used when meeting people face-to-face, live. A live meeting is the opposite of a remote meeting. For example, many people watch the news as a live broadcast. Have you ever watched a live broadcast or have you been involved in making one?

location data 

With location data, the service knows where the device is. Map and weather services are examples of services that need location data to work. With the location data, the satellite equipment in the sky can find out where the device is located. The owner of the device decides which application they want to allow to receive their location data. For example, it is advisable to share your location data with the 112 Suomi service so that you will get help in an emergency.

meme   

A meme is an image or a short moving image in which text is often included, too. Memes are often related to a current topic. Many people send memes to each other because they are often funny and insightful.  Anyone can make memes. What kind of memes have you seen?

memory 

Memory means the space to which programs and data are stored on the device. The amount of memory determines how much data, such as games or videos, it is possible to save on the device. The abbreviations kilobyte (KB), megabyte (MB), gigabyte (GB) and terabyte (TB) are used for memory. Memory also means the ability to memorise and recall past events and matters. Let’s find out how much memory a one-minute video takes! How many one-minute videos can you save on a device with a memory of 128 KB?

message   

Messages can be text, audio or picture messages or combinations of these. They can be sent in different online services, such as Snapchat, WhatsApp or Signal. It is also possible to send messages from one phone number to another without an internet connection.

mouse 

A mouse is a small device used to control the computer. The mouse is often operated by hand. People have begun to call the computer mouse a mouse because a mouse with a cable looks a bit like a mouse with a long tail. A portable computer, a laptop, may also have a touchpad, which is used by moving your fingers on its surface. It is also possible to control computers with the arrow keys. Phones and tablets are often controlled with a finger or a stylus pen. Many devices can also be controlled with voice.

network connection  

A network connection (internet connection) is used to connect a device to the network, the internet. The  device is connected to the internet through a mobile network, Wi-Fi or WLAN. Mobile devices often have a SIM card. With a SIM card, the internet works on the device through its own internet connection, but it is also easy to connect the device to a wireless local area network, Wi-Fi. Certain facilities, such as schools and day-care centres, often provide a wireless local area network for everyone to use. Telia, DNA and Elisa are examples of Finnish mobile network operators. WLAN is an abbreviation for wireless local area network, but Wi-Fi does not have a clear definition. SIM is an abbreviation for Subscriber Identity Module.

notification   

In digital devices, a notification means that you receive some kind of message when something happens in an application or a program. For example, there may be an alarm on your phone when a message arrives. You may also see the notification. You can switch notifications off yourself. When you need to concentrate on something important, it is a good idea to switch the notifications off.

online behaviour 

It is important to behave in a friendly way towards everyone. Good online behaviour means being nice to everyone. No one must be bullied online, either. If you notice bad behaviour online, always tell a familiar adult about it. And you could tell that person about nice things, too! Who is the adult with whom you talk about your experiences?

tablet 

A tablet is a device that has a touchscreen and it is usually controlled with a finger. A tablet can be connected to the internet through the SIM card in the device or through Wi-Fi. You can download applications to a tablet from the application store. You can use a tablet to watch moving image, play games, draw, make videos, browse the internet, read or even make a book of your own. Like a phone, a tablet is also a mini computer. Did you know that a tablet is sometimes also called a tablet computer. For example, Apple and Samsung manufacture tablets. The word tablet can also refer to a medicine or a vitamin.

to tag   

Tagging means marking in the social media. For example in social media messages, you can tag a person or a place that is visible in a picture. Tagging is often done by placing the @ sign in front of a word.

to tap 

You tap the touchscreen with your finger to make something happen on the screen. You can also tap the screen with a pen made for using the screen.

television 

A television or a TV is a device on which you can watch programmes. The television is often connected to the internet. The programmes may be programmes on TV channels or programmes offered by online services. The programmes may be free or there is a charge for them.

to troll 

Trolling means annoying other people online to make them lose their temper in some way. Trolling also means trying to influence other people’s opinions even by lying. A person who does trolling is called a troll. If you notice a troll online, report it to an adult or the service administrator.

update 

The applications on devices are constantly improved. That is why they have to be updated, which means ensuring that the version used is the most recent version. If you do not update the applications, they may not work correctly.

user account 

Not all services can be used without registering. When you register for a service, you will get a user account. The user account gives you the right to use the service. You should ask an adult for permission to register.

username    

A username is a name that you use when you log in to a computer or a service, for example, a game. The username is usually your own email address. In addition to the username, you often need a password to be able to log in to the service that you want.

video call 

A video call is a conversation that takes place online. The conversation participants see each other through the cameras of their devices. If the participants use just the sound, the call is an ordinary phone call. Which do you like more, ordinary calls or video calls? Did you know that phones did not use to have a camera?

website   

A website is an internet page containing text, sound, images or videos. You can find websites by searching with a search engine or by going directly to an address, in which a website will open. Every website has an address. The browser needs an address to find the right website, just like people need a street address to find the way to the right place. The addresses often consist of letters and words, for example, https://www.yle.fi. The address sometimes ends in a country code, such as the letters fi after the full stop, which mean Finland. What websites do you like to visit?

web store 

A web store or an online store is a shop that is online. You can buy products from a web store just like from an ordinary shop. You can also buy applications, such as games, to download on a device. You can have the products you have bought from online shops sent directly to your home or you can collect them yourself from the delivery location that you have chosen. Many people also order food online and have it delivered to their home. Have you ever bought anything online with someone? What was it?

Wikipedia 

Wikipedia is a free service on the internet. It contains information about different things, and users constantly add more information to it. Anyone can participate in writing Wikipedia. The information on Wikipedia is usually reliable, but you should also check matters from another reliable website.

window   

When you open an application, it opens in a window of its own on the screen. Several applications of programs may be open in their own windows on the screen.

wireless 

A wireless connection is a connection that works without cables between different devices. A wireless connection can be used to transfer data easily and fast. For example, a Bluetooth connection can be used with headphones to listen to music on the phone. 

WWW 

WWW is a system for browsing websites. WWW is an abbreviation for World Wide Web.

YouTube 

YouTube is a video service in which anyone can download videos and watch videos posted in the service by others. You can comment on the videos and forward them. Other video services also exist. You have to pay to use some video services.

YouTuber   

A YouTuber is a person who makes videos and publishes them in their own video channel for others to watch. The videos can be published on YouTube, which is where the word comes from. Do you follow a YouTuber? Who is it?

to zoom 

Zooming means enlarging. It is used when you want to have a closer or a more detailed look at something. Zooming on a touchscreen usually requires two fingers. Zooming is useful, for example, when you have to examine a detail in a picture or when you want to have a closer look at a map.

3D, 2D 

An image that has height, width and depth is three-dimensional, a 3D image. An image that has height and width but no depth is two-dimensional, a 2D image. Most images are 2D images, but it is possible to use the computer to create an impression of a three-dimensional image. A 3D image may look more real.

@ sign   

The @ sign is used in front of a person’s name when we want to tell something to this particular person in the social media. The @ sign or the “at” sign is also used in email addresses.