You do not need the newest or most expensive device
A smartphone, a tablet, or a public library computer can do almost everything in these lessons. A used device in good working order is fine for email, forms, video calls, and reading. What matters is that the device still receives security updates and that you know how to charge it, turn it on and off, connect to Wi-Fi, and adjust the text size and volume. If you are choosing a device, ask about battery life, storage, and whether it will keep receiving updates. Ask a trusted person or library staff to help you set up the basics rather than paying for expensive lessons you do not need.
Finding reliable information online
The address bar at the top of a web browser is where you type what you are looking for. Search engines give a list of results, but the top result is not always the best or most official one. Before trusting a page, ask: who runs this website, and what is their purpose? Government sites end in .gov and are usually the most reliable for rules, forms, and benefits. Nonprofit and university sites ending in .org or .edu can also be useful. A site that pressures you to act fast, asks for payment to "unlock" information, or has many ads may not be trustworthy. When in doubt, type the organization's name plus .gov or search for the official agency page directly.
Email essentials
Email is still how most workplaces, schools, banks, and government offices communicate. Learn four basics: how to send a new message with a clear subject line, how to reply and forward, how to attach or open a file (like a resume or a photo), and how to check your spam or junk folder because real messages sometimes land there. When you open email, look at who it is actually from before clicking anything. A message from a bank or government office that creates urgency, asks you to click a link and log in, or asks for personal details is a red flag — contact the organization using a phone number or address you find yourself, not one in the email. Your email password is like a key to your life; never share it, even with someone who claims to be helping you.
Free places to learn and practice
Public libraries are the most underused free resource for digital skills. They offer computers and internet access at no cost, staff who can help with basic questions, and often free classes. You can also learn at your own pace with DigitalLearn.org, which offers short beginner lessons on computer and internet basics. Practice on something real: check a utility account, look up a bus schedule, or draft a short email. Ten minutes of practice a day on a real task builds more confidence than hours of theory. If a class moves too fast or uses words you do not know, it is fine to ask the instructor to slow down or repeat — that is what they are there for.
A real-world example
Hypothetical example: a resident receives a notice about a city bill but is not sure it is real. They go to the public library, use a free computer, and search for the city's official website by typing the city name and '.gov' instead of clicking the link in the notice. On the official site they find the utility department's real phone number and call to confirm the bill. The librarian helps them save the official page as a bookmark so they can find it again. No payment is made from the notice itself, and no personal information is entered into any site linked from the suspicious notice.
Steps to take
- Turn your device on, connect to Wi-Fi, and adjust text size and volume.
- Open a web browser and practice typing an address directly into the address bar.
- Visit one .gov website and identify who runs it and what it is for.
- Send a practice email to yourself with a clear subject line and one attachment.
- Check your spam folder and look at who messages are actually from before clicking.
- Find your nearest public library's hours and ask what free computer help they offer.
My digital basics check
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Go deeper in related modules
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Official provider guides
These independent provider guides offer additional learning resources. Check current details directly with the provider; sharing a link does not imply an official affiliation with P.E.A.C.E.
- DigitalLearn.org: Free digital skills lessons (opens in a new tab)
Short, plain-language lessons on computers, the internet, email, and more, from the Public Library Association. Free and built for beginners.
- USAGov: Find libraries and archives (opens in a new tab)
Find a public library near you. Libraries offer free computer and internet access and often free technology classes; call ahead to confirm hours and programs.