How do I tan a little bit?

I know this is stupid but I honestly don’t understand how sunbathing to tan works. I am very pale. I don’t mind being pale but people always comment and make jokes. They don’t mean anything bad by it but it does get to me a little. So I’ve decided to try and tan a bit. I know I do burn but I was always so tan as a child and now I don’t get tan. I don’t go outside as much as I did when I was a child though. I’m sitting outside right now in the sun. How long does it take to get a little color? I know I won’t be able to in just one day. Especially since it’s 5 pm. But I am trying to work on it. Also, can you get tan if you use sunscreen? I don’t want to damage my skin either. I don’t have any sunscreen on right now.