Making a social media account (easy read)
How to make social media accounts for Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Guidance.png?itok=tcRsLa82)
This guide tells you how to make accounts for:
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Facebook%20%282%29_0.png?itok=FGtkSk9K)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/X%20Twitter%20%281%29_0.png?itok=Xxt36U7d)
- X (which used to be called Twitter)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Insta%20img_0.png?itok=kLWYcUgA)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/YouTube%20%281%29_0.png?itok=fRNfgH6f)
- YouTube
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/linked%20in_0.png?itok=WlJDhrmf)
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Website%20Link%20%286%29_0.png?itok=sAPHNqLB)
This guide is for making an account on a computer.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Phone%20tablet_0.png?itok=Im9WIWh-)
Making an account on a phone or tablet might be different.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Easy%20Read%20Info%201%20%285%29_0.png?itok=VgXVcTHc)
We also have a guide on keeping safe on the internet and social media.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Facebook%20img_0.png?itok=8oq1B6LH)
Go to the website www.facebook.com.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Create%20account_0.png?itok=IGtIytcY)
Click the green button that says ‘Create new account’.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Checklist_1.png?itok=Op8dR5xu)
You will be asked to give:
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Name6.png?itok=2oThr_1e)
- Your name
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Phoneemail.png?itok=TZNEWsmS)
- Your email address or mobile phone number
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Password%20%282%29.png?itok=8ohorDXW)
- A password
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Birth%20Date.png?itok=TgCNSicG)
- The date you were born
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/boy%20girl.png?itok=6dZOBMta)
- Your gender
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Phoneemail%20yes.png?itok=qp5z_SU-)
Facebook will need to check that your email address or phone number is real.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/code2.png?itok=ZqLTQ3Vw)
They will send a code to your email address or phone.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Code3_0.png?itok=FroPWqhw)
Put the code you are given into Facebook.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Tick%20facebook2.png?itok=9vn1llmD)
You have now set up a Facebook account.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/X%20img_0.png?itok=r93WlcEV)
Go to the website www.x.com.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/twitter%20join.png?itok=PADyrc4D)
Click the blue button that says ‘Create account’.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Checklist_2.png?itok=HPw20v_8)
You will be asked to give:
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/username_0.png?itok=IR2dFvQ_)
- A 'username' which will be the name that shows on your X account
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Phoneemail_0.png?itok=mQBOl14d)
- Your email address or phone number
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Birth%20Date_0.png?itok=GsdVf6So)
- The date you were born
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/userna%202.png?itok=4uRlVmDX)
You can not use the same username as someone else.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/userna%20e%202.png?itok=DdSOuTIz)
You might need to add numbers or letters to the username that you want, so it is different.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Search%20x.png?itok=6F10Ejd6)
Choose if you want people to find you with your phone number or email address.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/ad.png?itok=79cYrMin)
Choose if you want to see adverts that X think you will be interested in.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Confused3%20%281%29.png?itok=043IZ1jl)
If you are not sure, you do not need to choose these options.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Phoneemail%20yes_0.png?itok=EsNor-hI)
X will need to check that your email address or phone number is real.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/code2_0.png?itok=Nfb_9N4X)
They will send a code to your email address or phone.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/x%20code_0.png?itok=1t8pfRBV)
Put the code you are given into X.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/X%20Twitter%20y.png?itok=Fx9zat8N)
You have now set up an X account.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Insta%20fb.png?itok=xvaiFyBR)
If you already have a Facebook account you can log in to Instagram with it.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Insta%20img_1.png?itok=XamNrut0)
If you do not have a Facebook account, go to the website www.instagram.com/accounts/emailsignup.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Checklist_3.png?itok=X6-dGxiD)
You will be asked to give:
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Phoneemail_1.png?itok=LngAg-9C)
- Your mobile phone number or email address
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Name6_0.png?itok=GITfGKnY)
- Your name
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/username.png?itok=4_J92KDY)
- A ‘username’ which will be the name that shows on your Instagram account
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Password%20%282%29_0.png?itok=mn_Wg1hO)
- A password
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Birth%20Date_1.png?itok=MMdANQjS)
- The date you were born
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/userna%202.png?itok=4uRlVmDX)
You can not use the same username as someone else.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/userna%20e%202.png?itok=DdSOuTIz)
You might need to add numbers or letters to the username that you want, so it is different.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Phoneemail%20yes_1.png?itok=mlgROk7L)
Instagram will need to check that your email address or phone number is real.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/code2_1.png?itok=sJsWTmab)
They will send a code to your email address or phone.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Code3_0.png?itok=FroPWqhw)
Put the code you are given into Instagram.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Instagram%20tick.png?itok=F6J4NDVA)
You have now set up an Instagram account.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/youtube2.png?itok=Tk23Eezx)
You do not need an account to watch videos on YouTube.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/youtube%20like_0.png?itok=yaYekokh)
You do need an account to save a video, add your own video or follow a channel.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/googlelogin_0.png?itok=x8r2_lDB)
YouTube uses Google email addresses for accounts.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Youtube%20img.png?itok=Gw5e3R10)
Go to the website www.youtube.com.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/signin.png?itok=4K0q4YDa)
Click the blue button that says ‘Sign in’.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/create2.png?itok=FQBETjvB)
If you already have a Google email address, sign in.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/yt%20create.png?itok=4_-q-ScJ)
This will create a YouTube account for you.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/create_0.png?itok=KhLG9_n2)
If you do not have a Google email address, click the link that says ‘Create account’.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Checklist_4.png?itok=qLmiSEKA)
You will be asked to give:
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Me7.png?itok=kNpfhUAu)
- Who the account is for
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Name6_1.png?itok=SOmZiG2U)
- Your name
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Birth%20Date_2.png?itok=ldJtu8ML)
- The date you were born
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/boy%20girl_0.png?itok=TDA_ct6q)
- Your gender
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Email%20Address%20%282%29.png?itok=BXMWQed3)
- Your email address
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Email%20right.png?itok=ucAR4G0r)
YouTube will need to check that your email address is real.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/code2_2.png?itok=BPa1AccR)
They will send a code to your email address.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/verify%20yt.png?itok=lfqXkah_)
Put the code you are given into YouTube.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/yt%20create_0.png?itok=Z2HIkWys)
You have now set up a YouTube account.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Linked%20in%20img.png?itok=WTaoFgjB)
Go to the website www.linkedin.com/signup.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Checklist_5.png?itok=p5fUHTuK)
You will be asked to give:
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Email%20Address%20%282%29_0.png?itok=al-6YSWa)
- Your email address
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Password%20%282%29_1.png?itok=KvybcYJu)
- A password
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Name6_2.png?itok=OPYqbNmq)
- Your name
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Map%20UK.png?itok=w7CBoJja)
- The country you live in
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Address%20Post%20Code.png?itok=_VzdngPc)
- Your postcode
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Job%20Description.png?itok=RLWAl5hG)
- Information about your most recent job
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Email%20right_0.png?itok=zeNGik-T)
LinkedIn will need to check that your email address is real.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/code2_3.png?itok=unGLj8i4)
They will send a code to your email address.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/email%20li.png?itok=b0_bGpqH)
Put the code you are given into LinkedIn.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/linkedin%20yes.png?itok=tf-yKm1h)
You have now set up a LinkedIn account.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Conditions%20Met.png?itok=xJ3wvbi9)
Sometimes social media companies want to check that you are a real person.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/authenticate.png?itok=CvvK54k5)
This is called 'authentication'.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Covid%20Notification%201%20%281%29.png?itok=w-xXi8PE)
They might ask you to do a task.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/task%20hard.png?itok=mgkcXtMS)
These tasks can be really hard.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/no%20account.png?itok=8dme3Fsn)
If you can not do the task, you might not be able to make your account.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/Desk%20work%202%20%285%29.png?itok=Mhq5dX_L)
If you need help, ask a friend or family member.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_tile/public/2024-08/help_0.png?itok=-0iDZnKx)
Or you can contact the social media company for help.