Your allies in your pocket: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and audiobook tips for everyday life
- Jan 24
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 17
Digitalization does not have to be complicated or intimidating.
With simple apps and a few basic settings, a smartphone can truly improve the daily lives of older adults.
From talking with family to watching videos, listening to stories or learning something new, a mobile phone can become a useful, safe and easy-to-use ally.
You don’t need to be an expert or understand technology.
You just need to know a few practical tricks that make everything much simpler.
Mobile technology is already part of everyday life for many older people, and learning a few simple tips can make it much easier to use.
Technology for everyday life does not have to be complicated. With a few simple tips and the right tools, using a smartphone can become easier, safer, and more enjoyable for older adults.
One of the biggest benefits of a mobile phone is reducing the feeling of loneliness.
Seeing and hearing children or grandchildren, learning a new recipe or enjoying an interesting program brings comfort, company and confidence.
Every app hides small tricks that very few people know. Here are the most useful ones to get the most out of them without complications.
Instagram tips that make everyday life easier
Instagram may seem complicated at first, but it is actually very simple once you know a few basic gestures.
View a photo in a larger size without effort
Press and hold your finger on a photo and it will appear in full screen without opening the post.
You can also use the “pinch” gesture with two fingers to zoom in.
This is ideal for reading small text or seeing an image more clearly.
Mute someone without unfollowing them
If someone posts too much, there is no need to remove them.
Go to their profile → tap Following → select Mute.
The other person will never know they have been muted.
It is the perfect trick to keep peace without creating conflict.
Save important posts
Tap the bookmark icon in the bottom right corner of the photo.
Later you can find it in:
Profile → Menu → Saved
If you hold the icon for an extra second, you can create folders such as:
Recipes
Garden ideas
Trips
Grandchildren’s photos
Very useful for keeping everything organized.
Like a post without searching for the button
Instead of looking for the small heart, simply double-tap the center of the photo.
It is much faster and easier.
Turn on automatic subtitles in videos
In videos, tap the three dots and look for the subtitle option.
Your phone will display what is being said.
Very useful if:
you cannot hear well
there is noise
you want to understand the content better
Find photos you liked before
If you saw a photo you loved but cannot remember where it was, you can find it easily.
Just:
go to your profile
tap the menu
select Your activity
choose Interactions
tap Likes
There you will see all the posts you have liked.
YouTube tips to watch and understand videos better
YouTube is a fantastic tool for learning, entertainment or simply relaxing.
With these tricks, it becomes much easier to use.
Move forward or backward quickly
Double-tap the right side of the video to skip forward 10 seconds.
Double-tap the left side to go back.
If you repeat the gesture several times, the time increases.
Very useful when:
you did not understand something
you want to repeat an explanation
you want to skip a long part
Make people speak more slowly
Tap the three dots → Playback speed → choose:
0.75
0.5
The voice becomes slower and clearer.
This helps a lot when following explanations or recipes.
Turn on subtitles in any video
Press the CC button on the screen.
If the video is in another language:
Settings → Subtitles → Auto-translate → English
This opens the door to documentaries and content from all over the world.
Watch a video you liked again
If you saw an interesting video and cannot find it again, you can use the history.
Just:
tap Library
open History
You will see all recently watched videos.
Very useful for:
repeating a recipe
listening to a song again
showing something to another person
Stop videos from playing automatically
Sometimes when a video ends, YouTube automatically starts another one. This can be annoying or use data without noticing.
You can easily turn it off.
Just:
open a video
find the Autoplay button
switch it off
When it is off, the next video will not start automatically.
Increase text size to see better
If the text looks too small, you do not need to strain your eyes.
You can increase the text size on the whole phone.
Just:
go to Settings
tap Display
select Text size
move the slider until it feels comfortable
This change applies to:
YouTube
Facebook
WhatsApp
and other apps
Facebook tips to stay connected with family and friends
Facebook is still one of the most popular platforms for sharing photos, news and family moments.
Use more reactions than just “Like”
Press and hold the Like button.
You will see:
Love
Laugh
Surprise
Sad
Angry
The heart reaction is especially nice for family photos because it shows more affection.
See important people’s posts first
Go to that person’s profile → tap Friends → select Favorites
Their posts will appear at the top without constant notifications.
Save an interesting post
If you see a recipe, video or idea you like, you do not need to search for it later.
Just:
tap the three dots on the post
select Save
You can find it later in:
Menu → Saved
Very useful for:
recipes
tips
travel ideas
inspiration
Audiobooks and podcasts: enjoy stories without tiring your eyes
Many people still love stories, but reading can become tiring for the eyes.
Audiobooks and podcasts are a simple and pleasant solution.
They allow you to listen to:
novels
biographies
history programs
health topics
culture
news
All without effort.
Continue listening where you left off
Apps automatically remember the exact place where you stopped listening.
There is no need to search for the minute or chapter again.
This is especially helpful when:
listening before sleep
pausing during the day
continuing later
The sleep timer (the star trick)
If you fall asleep while listening, the phone can turn off automatically.
Look for the:
clockor moon icon
Then choose:
30 minutes
End of chapter
This saves battery and lets you sleep peacefully.
Reading books on your phone or tablet: eBooks
Not everyone wants to listen to a book.
Many people prefer to keep reading, but with larger text and less eye strain.
Electronic books, called eBooks, make this very easy.
You can read them on:
a mobile phone
a tablet
an e-reader
And the best part is that you can adjust the text size.
Even if the phone becomes easier to use, one rule never changes
If you do not recognize the number asking for money or a code, do not respond.
No bank, social network or app will ever ask for your password through a message.
Always download apps from official websites or app stores.
When in doubt, do not answer and ask a trusted family member.
Technology is not meant to replace anyone, but to support them.
With just a few simple tips, the mobile phone stops being complicated and becomes a useful tool to:
stay connected
learn new things
enjoy free time
feel safer
Sometimes it is not about knowing more, but about knowing the right trick at the right moment.
If you think this might help someone, feel free to share it.
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