---
title: "Networks and the Internet"
description: "Connected computers can share information. The internet is a network of networks. Services such as the world wide web, email and video calls use it to pass data from machine to machine."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/networks-and-the-internet-mt_JmrMg6v8V_
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/networks-and-the-internet-mt_JmrMg6v8V_.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Networks and the Internet

Connected computers can share information. The internet is a network of networks. Services such as the world wide web, email and video calls use it to pass data from machine to machine.

Subject: Computing · Area: Computing Fundamentals · Ages 8 to 11
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/networks-and-the-internet-mt_JmrMg6v8V_

## Ready when they can

- Explain the difference between the internet (the connected computers) and the world wide web (one service that runs on it)
- Describe how a message or web page travels from one computer to another through cables, wifi and routers
- Name several services the internet provides (e.g., web pages, email, video calls, online games) and what they have in common

## Lesson: Networks and the Internet

A network connects two or more computers so they can share data, such as files and messages. Phones and tablets can join too. A small network can work without internet access. The internet connects many networks around the world.

The world wide web is one service that uses the internet. It contains linked pages you open in a browser. A website can contain many pages. Email, video calls and online games can use the internet too.

*(drawing: Wifi can carry data to a home router. Cables and other network links carry it farther.)*

**Example.** Amara sends a photo to her cousin as small pieces of data. Routers pass them towards her cousin's device, which puts the photo together. Web pages can travel as pieces of data too.

Web pages, email, video calls and online games carry different kinds of data. They can share the same internet connection. Sending an email transfers data to another person. Reading a saved file offline does not need that transfer.

Wifi uses radio signals for a local connection. A device can also connect by cable. If home wifi fails, devices using it may lose access. Other connections and the wider internet can keep working.

**Recap.** The internet connects networks. The web, email, video calls and online games are services that can use it. A local wifi failure does not stop the whole internet.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Data and Information for Computers](https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/data-and-information-for-computers-mt_kH1DzOPsXG)

## Opens up

- [Inside the Box: Input, Processing, Storage and Output](https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/inside-the-box-input-processing-storage-and-output-mt_Oms8067Pnm)
- [Searching and Evaluating Online](https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/searching-and-evaluating-online-mt_S-XboPwA8k)
- [Addresses on a Network: IP Addresses, Hostnames and Paths](https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/addresses-on-a-network-ip-addresses-hostnames-and-paths-mt_tGgw0Vhd8b)