Speedbrake Publishing

Advice for Using Email Attachments

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An attachment is a file that is sent as part of an email message. You should teach your child to take the following precautions when sending attachments:

• Send an attachment only if necessary: If a plain text message will do, your child should not send an attachment.
• Send only to those who need it: If your child is not sure whether the recipient needs the file, have your child ask the recipient if he or she wants it.
• Send only to those who are expecting it: Teach your child to avoid sending attachments when the recipient is not expecting one. Your child should first get permission from the recipient.
• Make sure the recipient can open the attachment: Only send an attachment if you know the recipient has a program that can open the file.
• Send the smallest file possible: Many ISPs have a limit on the size of an email attachment. Most should accept files smaller than one megabyte.

Other Tips for Effective Email
- Top 10 Email Realities
- Top 10 Email Tips
- Advice for Using Email Attachments
- How to Recognize Unsolicited and Unwanted Email
- Top 10 Tips for Avoiding Unsolicited Commercial Email

Dr. Todd Curtis is the director of the AirSafe.com Foundation and an expert on the role using the Internet to educate the public about risk. This article was taken from his new book, Parenting and the Internet (Speedbrake Publishing, 2007). For more information, visit www.speedbrake.com.