Take a look at this scenario: You are traversing a new school, completely unaware of the new environment and things to come. All you have with you are your wits, some notebooks, and a temporary ID card. You roam around the campus grounds, checking things here and there.
Some of the facilities and amenities the school offers are familiar to you. You even know some faculty members and a couple of students near you. That’s what it’s like to surf the World Wide Web.
You might not know what you will get or find. Not only that, but you are unsure about the activities you take.
However, the school is a safe place, much like most parts of the internet. Your wits stand as your digital citizenship, and your ID is in the form of an email address. But what do these concepts mean?
Explaining Some Basics
You might be familiar with the term Email. Email or electronic mail is a means or method to communicate digitally. Not only is it an effective way to communicate with people and industries. You can also use it to express ideas and concepts to a target audience.
What’s more, you utilize an email to gain access to a product or service a website or platform offers. A neat example is Netflix. The platform requires you to log in with an existing email account before you can access the shows.
The same goes for your favorite social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. You need an email – or phone number to access them before you can enjoy their perks and features.
Let’s go back to our new school example. You are trying to get into one of the new school’s buildings. A guard checks your ID as you reach a building entrance. The guard lets you in after checking the information on your identification card.
That is how an email works in the digital realm. The host or admin checks your email for validity before letting you see what they have to offer.
Where Does An Email Work?
You don’t utilize your email account for your Twitter or Instagram alone. It has several different functions. Check them out below:
Business
Thousands of companies and entrepreneurs use email accounts to showcase what they offer. They use the perks of an email to promote videos, advertisements, etc. A subscription to an online merchant allows them to send your relevant product information and shop updates.
Thus, the email keeps you in the loop with your favorite brand or seller.
Email works splendidly to convey messages between employees and workers without being physically present.
Communication
Perhaps the best use email offers will be the gift of communication. You can engage in any online activity or transaction with an email under your name. Most sites and online platforms require you to have one before you can start browsing things.
An email also allows you to get in touch with virtually anyone as long as they have a stable internet connection. It is like when you shop online. You need to log into your account to see what you have in your cart.
You don’t have to check the items out immediately. But the company can email you to let you know of a potential purchase. That means they are trying to connect with you through email. All you have to do is check out what they have to say.
Security
Everyone knows that the digital realm is not the safest of places. It is the same case, even if thousands and thousands of users and administrators try to keep everyone safe and sound. One wrong click on a suspicious link or logging into a fishy website can jeopardize your information and identity.
As technologies develop, cybercriminals adapt to the changes around them. They will use any means to obtain sensitive information and details from unsuspecting individuals and use it for their deeds.
But platforms and websites use email to help secure your information and other valuable assets. They will require you to log in using an existing email before you can see and interact with your profile on their site.
This security method prevents bots, trolls, and cybercriminals from hacking and obtaining what is not theirs.
The best part about it is most sites nowadays use this method. They want their users to be safe from any cyber-attack or harm. A perfect example of how email works for security is through an email code. You will first need to verify the login with a code the platform sends to your email account.
Why Is An Email Crucial For Online Activities And Surfing?
Having an email allows you to conduct numerous activities and transactions from a legal standpoint. Without one, you cannot enjoy all of a site’s products, items, commodities, and services.
You still have the option to view the site and the links available. But it limits your actions and interactions on that platform.
How About The Disadvantages Of Email?
We have discussed most of the positive points of having an email for your online transactions and activities. But like most things, the concept of having an email account has its flaws.
One of the worst disadvantages of having an email account is that sites and platforms can abuse their activities. One prime example is when a site keeps sending you articles about its products. Or when you keep receiving spam and other unwanted messages in your email mailbox.
That leads us to security issues. Having an email account allows criminals to try and crack your password using the email itself. They can utilize it to look for platforms and sites you frequent. They can even access sensitive information and details you keep secret from other people.
Next comes the problem of viruses. Since malicious entities and cybercriminals use emails too. They can send you viruses and other malware. These applications and programs can wreak havoc on your email and anything it contains.
Viruses are also notorious for causing hardware issues in the long run. Do us a favor and don’t click on suspicious items in your email mailbox. In addition, make sure you only receive items and messages from verified sources.
You can check your settings and make the necessary changes to make this aspect happen.
Email And Digital Citizenship?
As someone who interacts with people, institutions, and businesses online, you will require a form of identification. This virtual ID is your gateway to all things the internet can offer. That may be the case, but you must be responsible for all your actions.
That is where digital citizenship comes into consideration. It has several meanings. But in a quick point, it is the responsible utilization of computers, the internet, networking, and all digital devices and applications.
Learning about digital citizenship allows any user to learn more about the transactions and activities they do once they surf the internet. Using digital tools and applications, people can develop better relationships with the ones they communicate with overall.
Digital citizenship does not limit to learning how to make better networks with friends and colleagues. The concept also teaches you how the internet works. The aspect teaches you empathy, to look out for fake news, to avoid clickbait, and how you can protect your digital identity better.
Going back to our example, you can use your knowledge and wits to learn more about the school and what the institution offers.
Email Is Here To Stay
There are new communication and networking technologies that develop and thrive each day. Businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-industry individuals use them for whatever functions they have.
Some people think that the concept of email might become nothing more but a thing of the past. That is their mindset with so many things happening. You might want to think otherwise since email is here to stay.
The concept of emailing proves to be beneficial and effective in any form of business, industry, and anything in between. It works as one of the best means to communicate with colleagues, friends, and loved ones through the digital realm.
As a neat plus, thousands of users still prefer using email to other communication means. So don’t worry about email losing the communication race.
