Respect the Ping: Mastering Digital Etiquette at Work

Welcome back to MyFirstJob Weekly! This week, we’re diving into a skill that’s often overlooked—but massively important: digital etiquette.

For students, this is about learning the dos and don’ts of how to communicate professionally, especially online. For parents, it’s about modeling respectful and thoughtful digital habits at home. And for employers, it’s about helping young workers learn what’s expected when messaging, emailing, or even reacting with an emoji on the job.

Let’s get into how to help the next generation thrive in a world that’s one Slack ping away from chaos.

For Students: Dos and Don’ts of Online Communication at Work

So you got the job. You’re in a group chat with coworkers. Maybe you’ve been added to the team email thread or are messaging your manager. And now you’re wondering: What do I say? How do I sound professional without sounding like a robot? Is “lol” okay, or will I get fired?

Take a breath. Digital communication isn’t rocket science, but it does have some rules.

Here’s your starter guide:

✅ DO:

• Be clear and concise. Get to the point respectfully.
  

• Use proper punctuation and grammar. No text slang in work emails (save the “u” and “btw” for your group chat).
  

• Respond within a reasonable timeframe. If someone messages you during your shift, don’t leave them hanging.
  

• Check your tone. Read your message out loud before sending it—does it sound rude or sarcastic when you don’t mean it to?
  

• Stay professional. Even if it’s a group chat, assume your boss will see every message.
  

❌ DON’T:

• Don’t send one-word replies unless it’s “Thanks!” or “Got it.”
  

• Don’t overshare or get too casual—this isn’t Instagram.
  

• Don’t argue or vent in writing. If there’s a problem, ask to talk in person.
  

• Don’t send messages with typos, misspellings, or excessive emojis 😬🔥😎. (A single smiley is fine. Ten? Not so much.)
  

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re ever unsure, default to polite and professional. You can always loosen up later once you’ve built trust and read the room.

For Parents: Modeling Good Digital Habits at Home

Your teen is absorbing your digital habits—whether you realize it or not. You’re likely their first teacher when it comes to how to communicate online, set boundaries, and navigate tone.

Here’s how to help them build good digital etiquette before they even step into the workplace:

1. Model Thoughtful Messaging

Let your teen see you draft a professional email. Talk through how you write respectfully, organize your thoughts, and close messages with clarity and kindness.

2. Talk About Tone

Text can be misread—fast. Walk your teen through how tone can change the meaning of a message. Better yet, pull up a few examples and decode them together.

3. Encourage Pausing Before Sending

Remind them: just because you can reply instantly doesn’t mean you should. A few seconds to think could save a misunderstanding later.

4. Set Family Boundaries with Tech

Turn off notifications during meals, model when to unplug, and practice good screen time balance. These small actions teach emotional intelligence and self-regulation, key workplace skills.

💡 Pro Tip: Share your own workplace communication wins and fails. Let them learn from your experience. ("One time I hit ‘Reply All’... yeah, that was a learning moment.")

For Employers: Helping Young Hires Learn Workplace Communication Norms

Today’s teens are digitally fluent—but that doesn’t mean they’re workplace-ready. Emojis, memes, and shorthand don’t always translate in professional settings.

Here’s how to set young hires up for communication success:

1. Set Expectations Early

During onboarding, cover digital etiquette explicitly. Provide simple dos and don’ts. (Don’t assume they already know what “Reply All” does.)

2. Lead by Example

Use clear, respectful, and timely messages in your own communications. Young employees will mirror what they see.

3. Encourage Clarification

Let them know it’s okay to ask, “How should I respond to this?” or “What’s the best way to message the team?” Give them space to learn.

4. Teach Context Awareness

Explain when an email is appropriate vs. a Slack message vs. a quick call. This nuance takes time to learn, but your guidance helps it stick faster.

💡 Pro Tip: Encourage a communication culture that’s warm and constructive. When mistakes happen (they will), use them as coaching moments—not career-enders.

App Update: We're Going Live Next Week! 🚀

We’re thrilled to officially announce that MyFirstJob launches to the public next Wednesday, May 14! 🎉

As one of our newsletter readers and early supporters, you’ll get exclusive early access on Tuesday, May 13, before anyone else. You'll officially be part of our Early Adopter Crew, helping shape the future of how teens find their first job and how employers connect with entry-level talent.

We know things will be a little quiet at first—there won’t be thousands of jobs or users yet. That’s the reality of building something from scratch.

But we’re here for the long game, and we’re so grateful to have you with us early on.

We can only hope that you’ll join us in helping to make the platform better and better. 

In case you need a refresher, MyFirstJob is a new platform built to help teenagers and students ages 14-22:
✅ Build their first resume
✅ Learn 60 essential soft skills through short lessons
✅ Match with jobs based on preference, personality, interests, and strengths
✅ Get parental support and employer guidance
✅ Earn real rewards for growing as a person and employee

We're creating a better way to launch careers—with confidence, clarity, and connection.

Thank you for being here. It means the world. 🙌

Interactive Elements:

• For Students: 
  
  Summer Jobs for Teens: How to Find Seasonal Work
  

• For Parents: 
  
  Setting Healthy Boundaries: Guiding Your Teen’s Job Hunt Without Overstepping
  

• For Employers:
  
  Hiring Teens: Important Soft Skills That Can Make Them Exceptional Employees

Closing Message:
Whether you're sending your first email or leading a team, how you communicate matters. In today’s workplace, your digital presence is part of your reputation, so let’s help the next generation show up well.

We can't wait to share what we’ve built next week. Be sure to keep an eye out for your Early Access link!

See you soon,
The MyFirstJob Team

P.S.: Next week—“Goal Setting and Career Growth”