Computer-supported telecommunications applications

When people want to talk to each other but can't be in the same place, they can use computers to help! Computer-supported telecommunications applications (or CSTAs for short) are tools and programs that make it easier for people to connect and communicate over long distances.

Imagine you have a friend who lives far away - maybe in another state or even another country! You really want to talk to them, but you can't just walk over to their house and say hello. Instead, you can use a computer-supported telecommunications application to talk to them from afar.

Here are some examples of CSTAs you might use:

- Email: This is like sending a letter, but instead of using pen and paper, you type your message on the computer and send it to your friend's email address. They can read it and write back to you whenever they have time.
- Video chat: This is like talking on the phone, but you can see your friend's face and they can see yours! You both need a camera and a microphone on your computers, and then you use a program like Skype or Zoom to connect and talk in real time.
- Social media: This is a website or app where you can post pictures and messages for all your friends to see. You can also send private messages to specific friends. Examples of social media sites are Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
- Text messaging: This is like sending a really short email or a note on your phone. You type your message and send it to your friend's phone number, and they can read it and reply back using the same method.

All of these tools are examples of computer-supported telecommunications applications - they let you communicate with people from a distance using computers and the internet!