I know this is a very broad question but can someone explain ions, I am so confused.

There are negative ions and positive ions known as anions and cations.

Atoms of elements (besides the noble gases) are not stable.

These atoms lose or gain electrons to gain the stable electronic configuration of a noble gas which has either 2 electrons or 8 electrons in the valence shell.

Since an atom is neutral, once it loses or gain electrons, it gains charge and is known as an ion