What is the internet? (text guide)
The internet gives us access to more information, entertainment and ways to communicate than most of us ever thought possible.
The internet and the World Wide Web
Technically, the 'internet' and the 'World Wide Web' mean different things, but we can use either term when we're talking about the 'web'.
The internet is made up of millions of computers from all around the world, linked to each other by a network of telephone lines, cables and satellite connections. The web or the World Wide Web is the information and the services we can use, thanks to these networked computers.
When we're on the internet or the web, we can also say we're 'online'.
It doesn't really matter if you say 'web', 'internet' or 'online'—most people will know what you're talking about.
Internet devices
To get onto the web you'll need an internet connection and a device to connect to the internet on.
Common internet devices include computers, laptops and the smaller, lighter tablets. You can also access the web on internet-connected mobile phones and smartphones, on some game consoles, and even on smart TVs.
Internet access
To access the internet, you'll need an internet connection.
Internet connections can be high-speed, like broadband, or slower like with dial-up connections—where you use the telephone line to dial an internet connection.
Next steps
Once you're connected to the internet, it's really quite easy to move around the web and find the type of information you're looking for.