Communicating

With the advent of the Internet, computers became excellent communication devices. Today computer-based communication programs range in complexity from basic text e-mail to online video conferencing. Your child will most likely learn to use e-mail, but may also be required to master more advanced computing skills.

Select a question below to learn more about communication. Use the navigation to the left to learn about other general technology uses.

1. How are computers used for communication?
2. What kinds of computer programs do children use to communicate?
3. What are some of the popular e-mail and instant messaging programs?
4. Does it cost money to send e-mail?
5. Will my child be required to have an e-mail account?
6. Should I have an e-mail account?
7. Where can I learn to use e-mail, instant messaging, etc.?
8. Is e-mail private?

What kinds of computer programs do children use to communicate?

There are four main types of computer programs used for communication:

1. Electronic Mail (or "e-mail" for short). An e-mail program is like a word processor in that it is used to compose and edit text, but, unlike a word processor, an e-mail program can send that text as a message to another person's e-mail address. Most e-mail programs allow users to "attach" computer files (for example, a book report written with a word processor) to the main e-mail that they are sending. Follow this link for more information about how e-mail works: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/email.htm
   
   
2. Instant Messaging (or IM for short). An instant messenger program allows two people at two different computers to converse by typing in text that appears on both computers as it is being written. Follow this link for more information about how instant messaging works: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/instant-messaging.htm.
   
   
3. Chat Rooms. A chat room is like just like instant messaging, but with more than two people. Think of it as an imaginary space where people can meet together and have a conversation. Chat rooms are often Web-based (making use of an Internet browser like Microsoft Explorer), but instant messenger programs can also connect to chat rooms. Chat rooms cater to just about every interest imaginable.
   
   Two popular chat room Web sites for kids are: Kid Chatters at http://www.kidchatters.com and Headbone Zone at http://www.headbone.com/friends/chat.
   
   Be warned that many chat rooms concern topics that are not appropriate for children. Most computers in schools have filtering software to protect your child from inappropriate material. Talk to your child's teacher if you have any concerns.
   
   
4. Newsgroups. Newsgroups are a cross between e-mail and instant messaging. If you send a message to a newsgroup, it is shared with everybody else who logs on to the newsgroup. Usually old messages are saved in the newsgroup archive much as old e-mails are saved on an e-mail account (until the user decides to delete them). Follow this link for more information about how newsgroups work: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/newsgroup.htm
   

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