What Is Social Media?

What this helps with: Understanding what social media is, what the popular apps are for, and how to start safely.

This is the first guide in our social media series. Start here if you’re new, or if your family keeps saying “I posted it on Facebook.”

What is social media?

Social media is websites and apps where people share and talk with each other. You can post photos, write short updates, watch videos, send messages, and see what friends and family are up to.

You make a free account with your name, email or phone number, and a password. Then you connect with people you know. When they share something, it shows up in your feed, a list you scroll through.

Popular apps and what they’re for

• Facebook: keep up with family and friends, join groups about your hobbies or town, and buy and sell locally on Marketplace.
• Instagram: share and look at photos and short videos.
• WhatsApp: free texts, voice calls, and video calls over the internet, often used by families and people in other countries.
• YouTube: watch videos on almost any topic, from how-tos to music to old TV clips. You don’t need an account to watch.
• Nextdoor: news and posts from people in your neighborhood, like lost pets or local events.
• X (once called Twitter): short posts about news, sports, and public figures.

All of these are free. They make money by showing you ads.

Words you’ll see

• Post: something you share, like a photo or a few words.
• Feed: the list of posts you scroll through.
• Like: a quick way to say “I saw this” or “I like this.”
• Comment: a written reply under a post. Others can usually see it.
• Share: passing someone’s post along to your own friends.
• Friend or Follow: connecting with someone so you see their posts.
• Message or DM (direct message): a private note to one person.
• Profile: your own page with your name and photo.

Is it right for you?

Social media can help you:

• See photos of grandkids and keep up with old friends.
• Find groups for your hobbies, faith, or health condition.
• Learn about local events.

It also has downsides: ads, scams, and posts that aren’t true. You can use it a little, a lot, or not at all. You can also just look without ever posting.

Start safely

1. Download the app from your phone’s app store, not from a link in a text or email.
2. Use a strong password you don’t use anywhere else, and turn on two-step login. See How Do I Turn On Two-Step Login?
3. Only accept friend requests from people you know in real life.
4. Don’t share your address, birthday year, or travel plans in public posts.
5. Be careful with messages from strangers, especially about money or love. See How Do I Spot Social Media Scams?

Official sources

• FTC: Reported losses to scams on social media (2026)
• FTC: How to recognize and avoid phishing scams
• Facebook: Help Center
• Instagram: Help Center
• WhatsApp: Help Center

Last checked: Oct 20, 2026

This is general help, not personalized tech support. App features change often and can look a little different on your phone.