Use the phone!

This was the only way your parents and grandparents used to keep in touch if it was raining or just couldn't be bothered to pop a pair of shoes on. A simple phone call is easy to make and you can tell each other jokes, do impressions or just ask what their family pet is doing. Top tip: older people love talking for ages, so pull up a chair and have a snack ready. 

FaceTime

Like a phone call, but with added close-ups of your friends and family's faces. Not everyone knows exactly where to look during a FaceTime call, so don't worry if you think they're watching the TV while you're having a chat. They could be, but let's assume they're not. It's like Tik Tok, but without all that dancing.

PlayKids Talk

This is a free, safe app for younger users. You can contact your friends with messages, audio messages and add some fun emojis to your photos. Parents and care givers, you can control the settings of who your child can contact or who can contact them, plus any messages they send or receive are encrypted. Have fun!

Skype

Similar to FaceTime, Skype is a free way of contacting your friends and family, provided they have the app too. You can use it on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Why not show your friends how tidy your room is and watch their jaws drop!

Netflix Party

If your desktop or laptop computer uses the Google Chrome browser, you can watch Netflix with your friends and family anywhere in the world. Need to get a cushion or wash your hands? You can pause the show and everyone else will simply have to wait until you're back, so you won't miss a second! There's also a group chat so you can relive your favourite moments literally seconds after they've happened. The best thing is that you can have your snacks all to yourself. 

House Party

What's this app? It's been described as 'FaceTime plus games'. HouseParty is a video messaging app for iPhones, Android phones, Mac computers and Chrome browsers. There, you can invite your friends and family to play Pictionary and games like that. You can search for their username or find them via the contacts in your book. Remember to only add people that you know!

Shout!

If your best friend or a family member live over the road, you could always ask how they are by shouting from the window. This is only to be used as a last resort if the wifi goes down or your device needs recharging. Actually, maybe just wait.