Email and Messaging
The internet makes it incredibly easy to stay in touch with friends and family, no matter where they are in the world!
What is Email?
Email stands for “electronic mail.” It’s like a digital version of a letter. Instead of writing on paper, putting it in an envelope, and mailing it through the post office, you type your message on a computer or phone and send it through the internet.
When you send an email, it travels from your device to a mail server (a big computer that stores emails), and then to the recipient’s device. The amazing part? It usually arrives in just a few seconds, even if the other person lives on the other side of the planet!
Parts of an Email Address
Every email address has a special format. Look at this example: alex.smith@email.com
- alex.smith - This is the username. It identifies who the mailbox belongs to.
- @ - This is the “at” symbol. It separates the username from the domain.
- email.com - This is the domain. It tells you which email service is being used, like
gmail.com,yahoo.com, or a school address.
You can think of it like a real home address: the username is the person’s name, and the domain is the street and city where their digital mailbox lives!
Parts of an Email
When you write an email, there are a few important pieces to fill in:
- To: This is where you type the email address of the person you are sending the message to.
- From: This is your email address.
- Subject: This is a short title that tells the reader what the email is about. A good subject line helps the person know if the email is important. For example: “Question about tomorrow’s homework” or “Photos from the camping trip.”
- Body: This is the main message. Start with a greeting like “Hi Mr. Lee,” write your message in clear sentences, and end with a closing like “From, Alex.”
- Attachments: If you want to send a file like a photo, a document, or a drawing, you can “attach” it to the email.
Here is an example of a well-written email:
To: ms.johnson@school.edu Subject: Question About Science Project
Hi Ms. Johnson,
I hope you are having a great week! I am writing to ask if our science project is due this Friday or next Friday. I want to make sure I have enough time to finish my poster.
Thank you for your help!
From, Alex
Instant Messaging
Instant messaging (or IM) is for quick, real-time conversations. When you send a message, the other person gets it right away, and you can chat back and forth just like you’re talking in person!
Popular messaging apps include WhatsApp, Messenger, iMessage, and Discord. Many of these apps also let you:
- Send photos and short videos instantly.
- Create group chats to talk with many friends at the same time.
- Use voice messages to send a recorded message instead of typing.
- See when someone is typing or has read your message.
Instant messaging is great when you want a fast answer or just want to say hello to a friend. But because it feels so casual, it’s easy to forget that messages can be saved or screenshotted by other people.
Email vs. Messaging
Which one should you use? It depends on the situation!
| Instant Messaging | |
|---|---|
| Longer, more detailed messages | Short, quick messages |
| Formal situations (teachers, coaches, relatives) | Casual chats with friends |
| Sending important files or homework | Making plans for later today |
| The other person can reply when they have time | You expect a reply right away |
A good rule to remember: if you wouldn’t interrupt someone in the middle of a conversation to tell them, it’s probably better to send an email!
Staying Safe and Being Polite Online
Whether you use email or messaging, there are some important rules to follow to stay safe and be respectful:
Think Before You Send
Once you send a message, you can’t take it back. Even if you delete it on your phone, the other person might already have read it or saved a screenshot. Always read your message one more time before pressing “Send.”
Don’t Share Personal Information
Never send your home address, phone number, password, or school name to someone you don’t know and trust in real life. If a stranger emails or messages you asking for personal details, tell a trusted adult right away.
Be Kind
It’s easy to forget there’s a real person on the other side of the screen. Use the same polite words you would use face-to-face. If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t type it.
Watch Out for Strange Attachments
If you get an email with an attachment from someone you don’t know, don’t open it! It could be a trick to put a virus on your computer. Always ask a parent or teacher if you are unsure.
Did you know?
- The first email: The first email was sent in 1971 by a man named Ray Tomlinson. He also came up with the idea of using the
@symbol in email addresses! - Emoticons: The first smiley face
:-)was used in an email in 1982 by a computer scientist named Scott Fahlman to show that he was joking! - Billions of emails: Every day, people around the world send over 300 billion emails. That’s more than 3 million emails sent every single second!
Check Your Knowledge
- What does “Email” stand for, and how is it different from a paper letter?
- Name the three parts of an email address and explain what each part does.
- What is the difference between email and instant messaging?
- When would it be better to send an email instead of a text message?
- Why is it important to “think before you send”?
- What should you do if you receive an email with an attachment from a stranger?