Talking Online: The Good, the Weird, and the Kind

  • October 14, 2024
  • Posted by: Admin For Osberg Busness Solutions
  • Category: Digital Confidence
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A beginner’s guide to emails, video calls, and keeping your cool online

Hey again!

You’ve made it to the halfway point of this series—and that deserves a fist bump 👊

This time, we’re talking about how to talk online. Whether it’s email, chat, or a Zoom call, online communication can feel strange at first. But just like in real life, it’s all about being clear, kind, and careful who you share things with.

Think of this as adding a walkie-talkie to your toolkit—with a mute button and cat filters (yes, really).

Skills to Focus On

Sending an Email

  • Open your email (like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook)
  • Click “Compose” or “New Message”
  • Fill in:
    • To: The person’s email address
    • Subject: A short title
    • Message: Write like you would a little note
  • Click Send (and do a happy dance)

Reading and Replying

  • New emails show up in your Inbox
  • Click one to read it
  • Click “Reply” to write back
  • Always double-check who you’re sending to before clicking \”Send\”

Joining a Video Call (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.)

  • You’ll usually get a link in your email or calendar
  • Click the link, wait for it to open
  • You may need to click “Join with Audio” or “Turn on Camera”
  • It’s okay to mute yourself if your dog is singing in the background

Online Manners

  • Be kind in emails and messages—tone can be tricky
  • DON’T TYPE IN ALL CAPS (it looks like yelling!)
  • Don’t forward chain letters or “click this for good luck” spam
  • If someone’s being mean online, you’re allowed to leave the conversation or block them

Free Tools to Try

  • Proton Mail – A secure, simple, free email service
  • Jitsi Meet – Free, private video calls—no account needed
  • Zoom – For video calls, classes, and cat-face filters

Want to Learn More?

Practice & Play: Try This!

The Email Warm-Up

  • Think of someone you appreciate
  • Open your email and write a short note to say hello or thank you
  • Try adding a smiley face emoji 🙂
  • Click send!

Bonus: Ask a friend to try a test Zoom or Jitsi call with you. Practice muting, turning your camera on and off, and waving awkwardly (required). 👋

Quick Tips

  • Keep messages short and friendly
  • Don’t click weird links in messages from people you don’t know
  • It’s okay to take a break from being online!

Next Up: Tools, Apps, and Making Tech Work for You

We’ll explore fun, useful tools that make life easier—from making grocery lists to organizing your time. You don’t have to use them all—just the ones that help you shine.