Basic Internet Lesson With Key Concepts
Lesson Overview
- What Is the Internet?
- What Is a Web Browser?
- What Is a Web Page and a Website?
- What Is a URL?
- What Is a Domain Suffix?
- What Is a Search Engine?
- What Is an ISP?
- What Does HTTP Mean?
- What Is an Email Attachment?
- What Is the Difference Between Social Media and File Sharing?
- Staying Safe Online
- How the Internet Connects the World
The internet is part of our everyday lives. We use it to learn new things, watch videos, talk to friends, and even do schoolwork. But do you know what the internet really is or how it works?
Let's discover the basic tools and terms used online, such as websites, browsers, email, and search engines. You'll also learn about the people and technology that help connect us to the web. This lesson will help you learn how to use it smartly and safely.
What Is the Internet?
The internet is a global network of computers connected together. It allows people from all around the world to:
- Send messages
- Share pictures and videos
- Search for information
- Visit websites
- Play games
When your computer, phone, or tablet connects to the internet, it becomes part of this huge digital web. That's how you can watch a video from another country or message a friend across the world.
What Is a Web Browser?
A web browser is a software application that helps you open and view websites. It is like a doorway to the internet.
Some popular web browsers are:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
These browsers turn special computer code into the pages you see on the screen, with images, text, videos, and buttons to click.
Take This Quiz:
What Is a Web Page and a Website?
A web page is a single document on the internet. A website is a collection of many web pages connected together.
Example:
- A school website might have:
- A home page
- A calendar page
- A teacher contacts page
- A photo gallery page
- A home page
All of these pages together make up one website. Web pages are viewed using your browser.
What Is a URL?
A URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. It is the address of a web page. Just like your home has a street address, every website has a URL so the browser knows where to find it.
Example:
- The URL for Google is: https://www.google.com
Each URL has parts:
| Part | What It Does |
| https:// | The protocol used to connect securely |
| www | Stands for World Wide Web |
| google.com | The domain name |
Take This Quiz:
What Is a Domain Suffix?
The domain suffix (or top-level domain) is the last part of a web address, like:
- .com – for commercial websites
- .org – for organizations
- .edu – for schools and universities
- .gov – for government websites
Each suffix helps tell you what kind of website you are visiting.
What Is a Search Engine?
A search engine helps you find information on the internet. You type words into it, and it shows you a list of web pages that match your search.
The most popular search engine is Google, but others include:
- Bing
- Yahoo
- DuckDuckGo
Example:
If you search for "facts about planets," the search engine will give you web pages with information about the planets in our solar system.
What Is an ISP?
An ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. It is the company that gives your home or school access to the internet.
Some common ISPs are:
- Comcast
- Verizon
- AT&T
You need an ISP to connect your device to the internet. They usually provide a modem and a Wi-Fi router to help you get online.
Take This Quiz:
(206).jpg)
What Does HTTP Mean?
HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It is the rule that allows web pages to move from one computer to another over the internet.
When you see http:// or https:// at the start of a URL, that tells the browser how to safely get the page.
- http:// = standard connection
- https:// = secure connection (with encryption)
Most websites today use https:// for safety.
What Is an Email Attachment?
When you send an email, you can include a file with it. That file is called an email attachment.
Attachments can be:
- Photos
- Documents
- Videos
- Spreadsheets
Look for a paperclip icon in your email to add or view attachments. But remember: only open attachments from people you trust, to stay safe online.
What Is the Difference Between Social Media and File Sharing?
Let's look at two common internet tools: social media and file sharing platforms.
| Platform | Purpose |
| Social Media | To share messages, pictures, and videos publicly or with friends (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) |
| File Sharing | To store and share documents privately or with a small group (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive) |
Social media is for connecting with others and sharing updates. While, on the other hand, file sharing is for storing important files and working on projects.
Take This Quiz:
Staying Safe Online
Being online is fun and useful, but it's important to know how to stay safe. Here are some tips:
| Safety Tip | Why It's Important |
| Use strong passwords | To protect your accounts from hackers |
| Don't share personal info (address, phone) | Keeps you safe from strangers |
| Ask before clicking on unknown links | Some links may lead to harmful websites |
| Only open attachments from people you know | Prevents viruses or bad files |
| Use websites that start with https:// | These are more secure |
Always talk to a trusted adult if something online makes you uncomfortable.
How the Internet Connects the World
The internet connects millions of computers and devices all over the world. This is why you can:
- Send an email to someone far away
- Video chat with a classmate
- Play games with people in other countries
- Learn about any topic instantly
Every day, new websites, apps, and tools are being created to make the internet even more helpful.
Rate this lesson:
Back to top