Welcome back! So far in this module, you’ve learned how to make and receive regular phone calls, and how to send and read text messages. Those are powerful tools — but today, we’re going to take it a step further with video calls.

Video calls let you see the person you’re talking to, face-to-face, no matter how far apart you are. This is one of the most meaningful things a smartphone can do — especially for staying close to children, grandchildren, and friends.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll know how to:

• Open and use a video calling app (WhatsApp, Zoom, or Google Duo/Meet)
• Start a video call with a family member or friend
• Answer an incoming video call
• Use simple features like muting, turning the camera around, or ending the call

Step 1: Choosing the Right App

There are several apps for video calls. The most common ones for seniors are:

• WhatsApp: Great for quick video chats with family and friends. Very popular worldwide.
• Zoom: Often used for family group calls, church meetings, or doctor’s appointments.
• Google Duo / Google Meet: Comes pre-installed on many Android phones and is very simple to use.

👉 Quick Tip: Ask your family which app they use most. That’s the one you’ll want to practice with first.

Step 2: Opening the App

• Look for the app’s icon on your home screen.
  • WhatsApp: Green icon with a white speech bubble and phone inside.
  • Zoom: Blue icon with a white video camera.
  • Google Duo/Meet: Blue or green icon with a white video camera.
• Tap once to open.

Step 3: Making a Video Call

On WhatsApp:

1. Open a conversation with the person you want to call.
2. Tap the video camera icon at the top right.
3. Wait for them to answer — you’ll see their face on the screen when they do.

On Zoom:

1. Open the app and sign in (you may need help setting up the first time).
2. Tap New Meeting to start one yourself, or Join to enter a meeting someone invited you to.
3. Tap Start Video to turn on your camera.

On Google Duo/Meet:

1. Open the app.
2. Tap the person’s name or number from your contacts.
3. Tap the video camera button to start the call.

Step 4: Answering a Video Call

When someone video calls you:

• Your phone will ring and you’ll see their face or name on the screen.
• To answer, swipe the green button or tap Accept.
• To decline, swipe the red button or tap Decline.

👉 Quick Tip: Don’t panic if you’re not ready. Just decline, and you can always call them back later.

Step 5: Using Call Features

While you’re on a video call, you’ll see several buttons on your screen. The layout may vary by app, but here are the common ones:

• Mute (microphone icon): Tap this if you want to stop your sound temporarily.
• Camera on/off (video camera icon): Tap this to turn your camera off (they’ll hear you but won’t see you).
• Flip Camera (circular arrows icon): Switch between your front camera (shows your face) and back camera (shows what’s in front of you).
• End Call (red button): Tap this to hang up.

👉 Quick Tip: If the video looks blurry, it’s usually because of internet connection. Just wait a few seconds and it usually clears up.

Step 6: Practice Together

Here’s how to practice:

1. Open your chosen video app (WhatsApp, Zoom, or Google Duo/Meet).
2. Call a family member or friend and let them know you’re practicing.
3. Try these three things during the call:
   • Mute and unmute yourself.
   • Flip the camera from front to back.
   • End the call when you’re ready.

The first time might feel a little awkward — that’s normal. But after two or three tries, it will feel natural.

Real-Life Example

I once worked with a senior named Eleanor who lived several states away from her grandchildren. She told me she felt “invisible” because she couldn’t see them growing up. After learning WhatsApp video calls, she started chatting with them every Sunday. The first time she saw their little faces on her screen, she cried happy tears. She told me, “This feels like magic.”

That’s the power of video calling — it shrinks the distance and brings family right into your living room.

Troubleshooting Tips

• I can’t see them, but I can hear them: Make sure your camera is on. Look for the video camera icon and tap it.
• They can’t hear me: Check the microphone icon — if it has a line through it, you’re muted. Tap it once to unmute.
• My screen froze: This usually means weak internet. Try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router or wait a moment.
• I see myself instead of them: Tap the screen — often, their video is in a small box that you can tap to make full screen.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Let’s review:

• You now know how to use video call apps like WhatsApp, Zoom, or Google Duo/Meet.
• You can start a call, answer an incoming call, and use features like mute, flip camera, and speaker.
• You practiced making and ending a call, and soon this will feel as natural as answering the phone.

Your take-action tool for today:

• Ask a family member to schedule a short video call with you this week.
• Practice answering the call, smiling, and talking for at least 2 minutes.
• Try pressing the “flip camera” button to show them something in your home.

In the next module, we’ll move into apps — the little tools that make your phone even more powerful. You’ll learn how to find, download, and use the most important ones for your daily life.

Congratulations — you’ve just finished Module 2! You now know how to make phone calls, send texts, and even see your loved ones face-to-face. That’s a huge milestone.

I’ll see you in Module 3, Lesson 1: What Are Apps and How to Download Them.