Skype facts for kids
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Screenshot of Skype version 8 for Windows desktop
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| Original author(s) | Priit Kasesalu and Jaan Tallinn | ||||||||||||
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| Initial release | 29 August 2003 | ||||||||||||
| Stable release(s) [±] | |||||||||||||
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| Operating system | Windows, Windows Phone, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, iPadOS, WatchOS, Wear OS, HoloLens, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | ||||||||||||
| Predecessor | MSN Messenger | ||||||||||||
| Successor | Microsoft Teams | ||||||||||||
| Available in | 108 languages | ||||||||||||
| Type | Videoconferencing, VoIP and Instant messaging | ||||||||||||
| License | Proprietary software | ||||||||||||
Skype is a special computer program that lets you talk to people using the internet. It's owned by a company called Microsoft. Skype is famous for letting you make video calls, have video meetings, and make voice calls over the internet.
You can also send instant messages and share files with others. Skype even lets you call regular phones (like landlines and mobile phones) for a small fee. It works on many different devices, including computers, phones, and even some video game consoles.
Skype was created by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, along with four developers from Estonia. It first came out in August 2003. Over the years, it changed owners a few times. In 2005, eBay bought it. Later, in 2009, a group of companies bought most of Skype from eBay. Finally, in May 2011, Microsoft bought Skype for a large sum of money. Microsoft then used Skype to replace its own messaging service, Windows Live Messenger.
Skype used to work in a special way called "peer-to-peer," where computers connected directly. But in 2017, it changed to a more central system, using Microsoft's Azure cloud service. In February 2023, about 36 million people used Skype every day. However, Microsoft announced that Skype will be shutting down on May 5, 2025, and will be replaced by Microsoft Teams.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name "Skype" comes from "Sky peer-to-peer". This was shortened to "Skyper". But some internet names for "Skyper" were already taken. So, they dropped the last "r" and got "Skype", which was available.
How Skype Started
Skype was started in 2003 by Niklas Zennström from Sweden and Janus Friis from Denmark. The actual software was built by Estonian developers Ahti Heinla, Priit Kasesalu, Jaan Tallinn, and Toivo Annus. Friis and Annus had the idea to make phone calls cheaper by using a special internet method, similar to how Kazaa worked.
An early test version was made in spring 2003. The first public version was released on August 29, 2003. In 2005, eBay bought Skype. Later, in 2009, eBay sold most of Skype to a group of investment companies. On May 10, 2011, Microsoft bought Skype for $8.5 billion. This purchase was finished on October 13, 2011.
Microsoft started adding Skype features into its own products. They also made a special Skype app for their new Windows 8 operating system. This app became the main messaging app for Windows 8.1. In 2013, Microsoft stopped its own Windows Live Messenger service and moved users to Skype. In 2015, Microsoft also replaced its business communication tool, Lync, with Skype for Business.
Skype's Journey After Microsoft
After Microsoft bought Skype, they kept adding new features. In 2013, Skype added free video messaging for many devices. In 2015, Skype introduced "Mojis," which are short video clips and GIFs from movies and TV shows that you could send in chats.
In 2016, Skype updated its app for iOS (Apple devices) to let users make calls using Siri voice commands. In 2017, Microsoft changed Skype's look and added new features, like sharing temporary photos and videos, similar to Snapchat. They also added "Skype Interviews," a tool for people to do coding job interviews.
Skype also changed its main system from a "peer-to-peer" network to a central server system. This made text messaging more important than just voice calls in the app's design. In February 2025, Microsoft announced that Skype would be closing down on May 5, 2025. It will be replaced by the free version of Microsoft Teams.
What Skype Can Do
When you sign up for Skype, you get a special Skype ID. You can find other users in the Skype directory. Skype lets you send instant messages and make voice calls. Voice calls can be between two people or in a group.
Skype's text chat lets you have group chats, use emoticons, save your chat history, and even edit messages you've sent. You can also see if your friends are online.
The "Online Number" service (also called SkypeIn) lets people call your Skype account from a regular phone number. This means someone can dial a local number in their country, and your Skype will ring on your computer or device. This service is available in many countries around the world.
Skype also supports group video calls and sharing your screen with others. You can have up to 50 people in a group call for free.
It's important to know that Skype usually does not let you call emergency numbers like 911 or 112. So, always have a regular phone ready for emergencies.
In 2019, Skype added a cool feature: you can blur your background during a video call. This uses special computer programs to make it look like you have a professional camera, even if you don't! In 2023, Skype also added the Bing AI chatbot to its platform for some users.
How Many People Use Skype?
Skype has been used by many people over the years. By the end of 2010, there were over 660 million Skype accounts worldwide. In August 2015, about 300 million people used Skype actively each month.
In February 2012, a record 34 million people were online on Skype at the same time. This record kept getting broken, reaching over 50 million people online at once by January 2013. In June 2012, the Skype app was downloaded over 70 million times on Android phones.
In March 2020, Skype was used by 100 million people at least once a month. The number of daily users went up by 70% in March 2020, partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, during this time, Skype also saw many users switch to other video calling apps like Zoom.
Where You Can Use Skype
Skype has different versions for many devices.
Computers
Skype has been available for Windows computers since 2003. There are also versions for macOS (Apple computers) and Linux (another type of computer operating system). The latest version of Skype for Windows is Skype 11, which works on Windows 10, Xbox One, and Microsoft Hololens. An older version, Skype 8, still works on older Windows systems like Windows XP.
Phones and Tablets
Skype has apps for:
Skype used to be available on older phones like Windows Mobile, Symbian, and BlackBerry OS, but these versions are no longer supported.
Other Devices
Skype has also been available on:
- Some Nokia internet tablets
- Sony Mylo devices
- PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita game consoles (though you might need a special microphone)
- Some Samsung Smart TVs (though this feature has been stopped)
- Special Wi-Fi phones that could make Skype calls without a computer.
How Skype Works (Technology)
Skype uses its own special way of sending calls and messages over the internet. This is called the Skype protocol. Skype does not share the details of this protocol publicly.
Before 2014, Skype used a "peer-to-peer" system, meaning your computer connected directly to your friend's computer. But now, Skype uses central servers to handle calls and messages. This means that files you send are saved on Microsoft's servers.
Skype uses special ways to make sure your voice and video sound and look good. For voice, it uses something called the SILK codec. For video, it uses H.264, which allows for high-quality video calls up to 1080p (Full HD).
Skype Qik
Skype also had a service called Skype Qik, which focused on sending short video messages between people and groups on mobile phones. It was launched in 2014 but later shut down.
Keeping Your Information Safe
Skype says it uses strong encryption to keep your conversations private. Encryption scrambles your messages and calls so only you and the person you're talking to can understand them. Skype uses common and trusted encryption methods like RSA and Advanced Encryption Standard.
However, because Skype's technology is private, it's hard for outside experts to fully check if these security methods are always used perfectly. Skype lets users pick any username, which means people don't have to use their real names.
Like many online services, Skype has faced questions about privacy. Microsoft has stated that it works with law enforcement when legally required, similar to other phone services. Skype has also made changes to its system to improve security and privacy over time, including adding end-to-end encryption for calls and messages as of August 2018. This means that only the people in the conversation can read or hear what's being said.
Skype in China
In China, if you download Skype, you are sent to a special version made by a Chinese company called TOM Online. This version of Skype follows China's internet rules, which include monitoring text messages. This means that some messages between Skype users in China, and between Chinese users and people outside China, might be checked.
However, Microsoft has also worked to improve privacy and encryption for users in China.
Languages You Can Use
Skype comes with many languages built-in, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and many more. There are over 100 languages available. Because users can also create their own language files, there are even more options for different languages.
Learning with Skype
Skype is not just for chatting with friends; it's also used a lot in schools and for learning! Teachers and charities use the free version of Skype for global education projects. For example, students can talk to other students in different countries to practice new languages.
Video calls on Skype are great for:
- Connecting students who speak different languages.
- Going on "virtual field trips" to places they can't visit in person.
- Talking directly with experts in different fields.
"Skype in the classroom" is a free tool on Skype's website that helps teachers make their lessons more interactive. Teachers can find other teachers around the world to collaborate with. They can also find experts to talk to their students. For example, a program called Skype a Scientist connects classrooms with volunteer scientists.
However, some schools and places block Skype on their networks.
Images for kids
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Screenshot of Skype version 8 for Windows desktop
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Skype icon, 2006–2012
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Skype icon, 2012–2019
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Skype icon, 2019–present
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Skype 4.0 (released 2009).
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PRISM: a secret program where the NSA collects user data from companies like Skype.
See also
In Spanish: Skype para niños
