Module 5: Email & Messages
What you will learn: How to use email and text messages safely, spot scam messages, block unwanted callers, and communicate with family and friends with confidence.
Rose, 71, loves getting emails from her grandchildren. Photos of the kids, funny stories about school, weekend plans — email is her window into their lives when she cannot visit in person. But Rose also receives about 30 unwanted emails a day: advertisements she never signed up for, warnings about accounts she does not have, and messages from people she has never met.
"I used to be afraid to open my email," Rose says. "I worried every message might be a virus. But once I learned what to look for, I realised most of those scary emails are like junk mail in your real mailbox — annoying, but harmless as long as you throw them away without opening the envelope."
Now Rose confidently sorts through her inbox every morning, keeps the messages she wants, and deletes the ones she does not — without a moment of worry.
You are about to learn one of the most useful skills in the digital world — communicating by email and text. Millions of people your age use these tools every day, and you can too.
Take it one step at a time. There is no rush.
Email Basics: Your Digital Mailbox
Your iPad comes with the Mail app — it looks like a white envelope on a blue background. This is where all your email arrives, whether you use Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, or another email service.
Think of the Mail app like a set of mailboxes at a post office:
- Inbox: Where new mail arrives. This is like the "new mail" slot in your mailbox.
- Sent: Copies of emails you have sent, so you can look back at them.
- Drafts: Emails you started writing but have not sent yet.
- Junk (or Spam): Emails that your iPad thinks are junk mail. Check this occasionally — sometimes real emails land here by mistake.
- Trash: Emails you have deleted. They stay here for a while before being permanently removed, so you can recover something if you delete it by accident.
Your Android device comes with the Gmail app — it looks like a colourful envelope with red, yellow, green, and blue stripes. This is where all your email arrives. If you use a different email service like Yahoo or Outlook, you can add those accounts to Gmail too.
Think of the Gmail app like a set of mailboxes at a post office:
- Inbox: Where new mail arrives. This is like the "new mail" slot in your mailbox.
- Sent: Copies of emails you have sent, so you can look back at them.
- Drafts: Emails you started writing but have not sent yet.
- Spam: Emails that Gmail thinks are junk mail. Check this occasionally — sometimes real emails land here by mistake.
- Bin (or Trash): Emails you have deleted. They stay here for 30 days before being permanently removed, so you can recover something if you delete it by accident.
On your Windows computer, you have two good options for reading email:
- Mail app (built into Windows) — looks like a blue envelope. You can add your Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or any email account to it. Great for beginners.
- Web browser — open Edge or Chrome and go directly to gmail.com, outlook.com, or mail.yahoo.com. No app needed — just like checking a website.
Either option shows you the same familiar folders:
- Inbox: Where new mail arrives.
- Sent: Copies of emails you have sent.
- Drafts: Emails you started but have not sent yet.
- Junk/Spam: Emails your computer thinks are junk mail. Worth checking occasionally.
- Deleted/Bin/Trash: Emails you have deleted — they stay here for a while, so you can get them back if needed.
If you have a Gmail address, the easiest approach for a Windows computer is to simply open Edge or Chrome and go to gmail.com. You will see the same familiar Gmail layout you may already know from other devices. No setup needed — just sign in with your Google account email and password.
If your inbox feels overwhelming, do not worry about reading every single email. Focus on messages from people you know. You can always delete the rest — just like tossing junk mail from your letterbox into the recycling bin.
Sending an Email
Writing and Sending an Email
Compose Email Screen
Every email has three parts: the To field (recipient's address), the Subject line (a brief description), and the body — the large area where you type your actual message.
If you accidentally send an email before you are ready, some email services offer a short "undo" window. On Apple Mail, you may see an "Undo Send" button at the bottom of the screen for about 10 seconds after sending. Tap it quickly if you need to make changes.
Writing and Sending an Email
If you accidentally send an email before you are ready, Gmail shows an "Undo" message at the bottom of the screen for about 5 seconds after sending. Tap it quickly to cancel the send and make your changes. You can also increase this window to 30 seconds in Gmail's settings.
Writing and Sending an Email (Gmail in your browser)
Gmail shows a small "Undo" notification at the bottom of the screen for about 5 seconds after sending. Click it quickly to cancel the send. You can also go to Gmail Settings → General → Undo Send and set the window to 30 seconds for more breathing room.
Confidence Check: You can write and send an email. That is a powerful skill for staying connected with the people you love.
Before sending an important email, double-check the address in the "To" field. A small typo could send your message to the wrong person. Take a moment to review before tapping send.
Spotting Scam Emails
Real Email vs Spam
A legitimate email comes from an official address like @rbc.com. A spam email uses odd addresses like @rbc-security-helpdesk.net — never click links in emails from unknown senders.
You learned about phishing emails in Module 2. Here is a quick refresher with practical tips for your daily email routine:
The Email Safety Check (Do This for Every Unfamiliar Email)
Never tap a link in an email that asks you to "verify your account" or "confirm your identity." Legitimate companies will never ask you to do this by email. If you are unsure, open your web browser and go to the company's website directly.
Suspicious Email Red Flags
Red flags include urgent demands (Act now or your account closes!), generic greetings (Dear Customer), and links that do not match the sender's organisation name.
Remember the 3-Second Rule
Stop. Breathe. Think before you tap. If something feels urgent or too good to be true, that is your signal to pause.
The 3-Second Rule for Emails
Text Messages: iMessage and Regular Texts
The Messages app (green speech bubble icon) handles both regular text messages and iMessage (Apple's messaging service). Here is the difference:
- Blue bubbles mean the message was sent through iMessage (Apple to Apple). These are encrypted, meaning they are very secure.
- Green bubbles mean the message was sent as a regular text to someone who does not use an Apple device. These are less secure but still fine for everyday conversation.
iMessage Conversation
Blue speech bubbles in Apple's Messages app mean the message was sent over the internet using iMessage — free, fast, and encrypted. Green bubbles are standard text messages.
The Messages app (usually a blue or green speech bubble icon labelled "Messages") is where you send and receive text messages on Android. Most Android phones come with Google Messages, which supports both regular texts and a newer, more secure system called RCS (Rich Communication Services).
- RCS messages appear when both people are using Google Messages. These are more secure and allow you to send higher-quality photos and see when someone is typing.
- Regular SMS texts are used when the other person does not have Google Messages. These work fine for everyday conversation.
Google Messages
Google Messages on Android lists your conversations sorted by most recent. Tap any conversation to open it and read the full history of messages between you.
If you are not sure which Messages app you have, look for the one made by Google. You can also download Google Messages from the Play Store for free. It is the most popular texting app on Android.
Scam text messages are becoming more common. If you receive a text from an unknown number with a link — especially one claiming to be from Canada Post, your bank, or a delivery service — do not tap the link. Delete the message straight away.
You now know how to spot scam emails and suspicious texts. That is a powerful skill that protects you every single day.
You are already safer than you were before you started this module.
Blocking Unwanted Callers and Texters
Getting calls from unknown numbers or annoying text messages? You can block them.
Blocking a Phone Number
Silencing Unknown Callers
Blocking a Phone Number
Filtering Spam Calls
Confidence Check: You now have the tools to control who can reach you. Your phone is your space, and you decide who gets in.
After you block a number, they cannot call or text you any more. But do not worry — you can always unblock them later if you change your mind. Blocking is not permanent.
Sending Photos to Family
One of the most joyful things about your device is sharing photos with loved ones. Here is how:
Sending a Photo by Text Message
Sending a Photo by Email
Sending a Photo by Text Message
Sending a Photo by Email
Sending a Photo by Email on Windows
If you find the photo you want to send using File Explorer (the yellow folder), you can right-click on the photo and choose "Share" or "Send to → Mail Recipient". This opens a new email with the photo already attached. Much faster!
You have learned how to send photos to the people you love. Sharing a picture of your garden, your pet, or your Sunday dinner is a beautiful way to stay connected.
Your family will love hearing from you — photos make messages extra special.
Email & Messages Tutorials
iPhone Mail App Tutorial
Master reading, writing, and organising email on your iPhone or iPad.
Watch TutorialsBlock Spam & Scam Emails
Keep your inbox clean by blocking unwanted emails and reporting scams.
Watch TutorialsThese links open YouTube in a new tab. YouTube is safe and free to use — you can watch as many videos as you like without signing in.
📚 New to YouTube? Learn how to spot quality videos and avoid ads
Practical Exercise: Safe Communication Practice
- Open the Mail app and find one email from someone you know. Read it and reply with a short message like "Thank you for this — I am practising my email skills!"
- Find one suspicious-looking email in your inbox (you probably have one). Check the sender's address. Can you spot any red flags? Delete it.
- Send a photo to a family member using either Messages or Mail. Ask them to confirm they received it.
- Block one unwanted number from your recent calls list.
Well done! You have practised safe communication skills — sending emails, spotting scams, sharing photos, and blocking unwanted contacts. You are in control of your digital mailbox.
🤝 Need In-Person Help?
Your local community offers free technology support for seniors:
Your Local Library
Many libraries offer free tech workshops and one-on-one help sessions.
Senior Centre
Community centres often host technology classes and support groups.
Connected Canadians
Free one-on-one tech support by phone or video call.
1-855-808-0505
Cyber-Seniors
Free tech training from trained volunteers.
1-844-217-3057
Congratulations! You have completed Module 5!
You are now a confident communicator. Email and messaging are tools for staying close to the people you care about — and you know how to use them safely.
Feeling Stuck?
You do not have to figure this out alone. These free services are staffed by real, patient people who love helping:
Connected Canadians — 1-855-808-0505
Cyber-Seniors — 1-844-217-3057
Both services are free, Canadian, and specialise in helping older adults with technology at your own pace.
Quick Answers
Check the sender full email address — not just the display name. Your bank email will come from their official domain (e.g., @rbc.com), not @rbcalert.info or @gmail.com. If unsure, close the email and log in to your bank website directly.
Treat links in unexpected emails with caution. If the email is urgent, claims something is wrong with your account, or promises a reward — do not click the link. Open a browser and type the company address directly.
Phishing is when a criminal sends a fake email that looks like it is from your bank, Canada Post, Amazon, or the government. The goal is to trick you into entering your password or credit card number. Apply the 3-Second Rule: pause, be suspicious, and go to the real website yourself.
Do not enter any information on the page that opened. Close the tab immediately. If you are unsure, call your bank fraud line. If no financial information was entered, you are likely fine — but changing your email password as a precaution is a good idea.