Why Video Calls Are Beneficial

Staying connected to others is a good day-to-day habit that can help you maintain your mental health and feel less lonely. While nothing beats being in the same room as the people you love, it's not always possible, especially if your family members live in another city or state. Web calls often feel more intimate than regular phone calls because you can see each other as you talk. Plus, watching your loved ones' facial expressions can help make the conversation easier to follow.

Choosing the Right Equipment

You can use a smartphone, tablet or computer to make a web call. The option you choose depends largely on which devices you own and how comfortable you feel using them. If you have limited mobility, a larger device with touchscreen capabilities may be ideal. A larger screen also makes it easier to see your loved ones clearly. The equipment you use can also affect your choice of calling program. For example, FaceTime is a calling app that can only be used on Apple devices.

Selecting an App or Program

Choosing a platform that's not complicated to use may encourage you to stay in touch with your loved ones more often. It's also important to consider the features a platform offers. For example, if you want to chat with multiple family members in different locations simultaneously, you'll need an app that supports group video calls. FaceTime, Google Duo, Skype and WhatsApp all offer this capability and are relatively straightforward to use.

There are also special devices and apps that can make video calling easier. CallGenie is one example. It uses your TV as the screen, and it's a very intuitive system. The device turns on your TV and switches to the correct input to accept a video call. You can make group calls with CallGenie, but it only allows calls from numbers already in your address book, which increases safety.

Setting Up the System

You may need to do some minor setup before you can start placing web calls. If you're using a new app or device, you'll need to download any necessary programs or connect the device to your system. Some platforms require you to create an account, or you may need to connect it to your phone number or email address. You can also adjust privacy settings or set backgrounds for your calls.

Making Adaptations

It's helpful to make some adjustments and change certain settings to make your video chats more convenient. For example, if you have poor hearing or auditory health, turning on captions can let you keep up with what's said, especially in a group chat with multiple people talking at once. You might also connect your device to voice activation or employ features such as auto-answer for ease of use.  

Doing a Practice Run

Don't wait until an important event to make your first web call. For example, if your loved ones want to use video calling to let you join in on a birthday party, don't wait until the party begins to place your first call. Plan a low-pressure practice call with a loved one when you can work through any challenges without time constraints. Choose a patient loved one who's knowledgeable about web calls to help you do the trial run. They can talk you through features and help you troubleshoot the app if you're having difficulty using it.

Keeping Yourself Safe

Going online to make calls comes with some safety concerns, but you can keep yourself safe by choosing strong passwords for your calling apps. Adjust the privacy settings on each app using features such as encryption or two-factor authentication. You can also stay safe by only accepting web calls from people you know.

Ways to Make Web Calls Fun

Simply chatting with your loved ones while looking at them on the screen is a great way to catch up when you don't see each other often. However, you can make the calls more fun by adding other activities.

For example, if you have grandchildren, you might read them a bedtime story over a web call. You can also do creative art projects together while you're on a call. Plan the activities in advance and do them at the same time while you chat. When you're done, you can show each other your finished projects. You can also play virtual games, such as trivia challenges, to pass the time and increase bonding.

Making video calls frequently helps you get more familiar with the process. You'll become more comfortable chatting online, whether you're talking with a friend right here in Arlington or a loved one in another country.

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