As our families grow, change, and move and our circle of friends and family extends beyond our local community, staying connected can be challenging. Video calls can offer a personal touch that traditional phone calls and text messages lack. Our experiences during COVID have shown us face-to-face connection is a critical component to our personal well-being.

Key benefits of incorporating video calls into your personal life are:

Face-to-Face Interaction

• Seeing facial expressions and body language help convey emotions more effectively, fostering a deeper connection.
• Understanding non-verbal cues can enhance communication and reduce misunderstandings.

Bridging Distance

• Video calls allow you to stay in touch with friends and family across the globe, making the world feel smaller.
• Celebrate birthdays, holidays, and special occasions with loved ones, even when you can’t be physically present.

Convenience and Flexibility

• You can connect with others anywhere and at any time, without the need for travel.
• Coordinate calls when it is convenient for everyone, accommodating busy schedules and different time zones.

Enhanced Communication

• Visual cues can help clarify conversations, making it easier to understand and be understood.
• Video calls tend to be more engaging than voice calls. This is important when connecting with friends and family so everyone feels more connected and willing to engage in conversation.

Strengthening Relationships

• Frequent video calls can help maintain and strengthen relationships, ensuring you stay updated and an important part of each other’s lives.
• Video calls can help you provide and receive emotional support during challenging times, offering a comforting presence even from afar.

Learning and Sharing

• Video calls can allow you to teach and learn new skills, such as cooking or crafting, through interactive video sessions.
• You can also pass on and receive important skills and family history with others in your family.

Health and Well-being

• Regular face-to-face interactions can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, promoting better mental health.
• Video calls can be used to encourage each other to stay active and healthy by participating in virtual workouts or wellness activities together.

With the importance of staying connected to our wellbeing, what applications are available to connect us to our family and friends? You may already have these applications on your phone, tablet, or computer, and you will be surprised how many applications are free for personal use.

Below are a few of the advantages and disadvantages of some of the more popular video call applications.

Zoom – https://www.zoom.com/:

• Advantages:
  • Very user friendly and easy to set up and use. Can be used either via an app or through a web browser.
  • Supports up to 100 participants in the free version.
  • Features include screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and breakout rooms.

• Disadvantages:
  • Security Concerns. When calls are not password protected and\or limited to invitees, the application has faced issues with people joining meetings to disrupt them (Zoom-bombing) and there have been some issues regarding privacy.
  • The free version has a time limit of 40 minutes per video call.
  • Can use lots of resources, like battery, memory, and network connection, from your system.
  • Requires signing up for an account.

Google Meet – https://workspace.google.com/products/meet/:

• Advantages:
  • Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Google Workspace.
  • Accessibility: Easy to join meetings via a web browser without additional software.
  • Security: Strong security features, including encryption.
  • The free version supports up to 100 people per video call.
• Disadvantages:
  • Fewer features compared to Zoom, such as no breakout rooms.
  • A Google account is required to host meetings. A Google account gives you access to Google, Mail, and other Google Drive applications (Docs, Sheets, Slides)

Microsoft Teams – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/teams-for-home :

• Advantages:
  • Excellent for collaboration with integrated chat, file sharing, and apps.
  • Strong security and compliance features.
  • Integrates well with Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel, Outlook).

• Disadvantages:
  • Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new users due to its many features.
  • Resource Usage: Can be heavy on system resources.
  • Learning Curve: Steeper learning curve compared to simpler tools.
  • Requires a Microsoft Outlook Account (https://outlook.com). The free Outlook account gives you access to other Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) via web browser or mobile app.

Skype – https://www.skype.com/en/:

• Advantages:
  • Skype has been available for several years and is widely recognized.
  • Supports group calls, screen sharing, and file sharing.
  • Available on multiple platforms.
  • Already installed on Windows computers.

• Disadvantages:
  • Interface has not been updated and most of Skypes features are now part of Microsoft Teams.
  • Can be less reliable with occasional call quality issues.
  • Less robust security features compared to newer platforms.
  • Requires a Microsoft Account.

FaceTime – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/facetime/id1110145091:

• Advantages:
  • High-quality video and audio calls.
  • Come Installed on Apple devices and integrates well with other Apple applications.
  • Simple and intuitive interface.

• Disadvantages:
  • Only available on Apple devices. Non-Apple devices can only join FaceTime calls via web browser.
  • Limited to 32 participants in group calls.
  • Fewer features compared to other platforms.

There are also several chat applications that will allow you to make video calls. The two most common are available from Meta, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of these popular applications.

Facebook Messenger – https://www.messenger.com/?_rdr%2F:

• Advantages:
  • Easy to connect with Facebook friends.
  • Supports text, voice, video calls, and games.
  • Available to download on all computers, tablets, and phones.

• Disadvantages:
  • Concerns over data privacy and security.
  • The presence of ads can be intrusive.
  • Can be heavy on system resources.

WhatsApp – https://www.whatsapp.com/

• Advantages:
  • The application is widely used and familiar to many.
  • Supports text, voice, video calls, and group chats.
  • Highly secure using end-to-end encryption for security.

• Disadvantages:
  • Because the application is owned by Meta, who also owns Facebook, there are concerns about possible privacy issues via information sharing between applications.
  • Can consume a lot of data for video calls which may be of concern for those with data caps on their phone data subscriptions or home internet.
  • Fewer customization options compared to other apps.

Video calls are an essential tool for maintaining personal connections in our increasingly digital world. By using one of the many video call or video chat applications, you can enhance your relationships, stay connected with loved ones, and enjoy the many benefits of face-to-face communication, no matter the distance. Choose the application that best suits your needs. Below are links that can help in making your decision. Happy video calling!

Helpful Links:

• The Best Video Conferencing Software for 2024 – https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-video-conferencing-software
  
• Free Video Conferencing From Zoom – https://www.zoom.com/en/products/virtual-meetings/features/free-video-conferencing/?cms_guid=false&lang=null
• Getting started with Zoom for Home – https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0059979
  
• Zoom – Getting started guide for new users – https://support.zoom.com/hc/en/article?id=zm_kb&sysparm_article=KB0061316

• Microsoft Teams for Personal Use–  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/teams-for-home

• Skype – https://www.skype.com/en/get-skype/ and https://www.skype.com/en/features/skype-web/
  
• Google Meet –  https://workspace.google.com/products/meet/
  
• How to Use Google Meet – 2024 Beginner’s Guide – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KVZvUxQXMA&t=54s
  
• Use FaceTime with your iPhone or iPad – https://support.apple.com/en-us/105088
  
• How to Use FaceTime to Call Other Apple Devices, Reach Out to Android and Windows Users – https://www.aarp.org/home-family/personal-technology/info-2019/how-to-facetime.html
  
• Facebook Messenger – Audio and Video Calls – https://www.messenger.com/?_rdr%2F
  
• Facebook Messenger – How to make a Video Call – https://tinyurl.com/FBMessVideo

• WhatsApp – https://www.whatsapp.com/
  
• WhatsApp- How to Make a Video Call – https://faq.whatsapp.com/1862285217468140/