Webcam

Webcam is short for “web camera.” It’s the small camera on your device that lets other people see you during video calls.

If you’ve ever used FaceTime or Zoom, your webcam is what made that possible. It’s the little lens — usually sitting right at the top of your laptop screen or phone — that captures your face and sends that picture to whoever you’re talking to.

Most laptops, tablets, and smartphones already have a webcam built right in, so there’s nothing extra to buy. If you’re using a desktop computer (the kind with a separate monitor), you might need to plug in a small external webcam — they’re usually about the size of a thumb and clip right onto the top of your screen.

A few helpful things to know about your webcam:

Most webcams also have a tiny microphone built in, so they pick up your voice too. That little light that turns on near your camera? That means your webcam is active and someone can see you. When the light is off, no one can see you. And if you ever want a little extra privacy, you can cover your webcam with a small sliding cover or even a sticky note when you’re not using it.

Think of your webcam as a tiny window that lets the people you’re talking to see your face — just like sitting across the table from them.