Your teen might have thousands of followers—but can they greet a customer, shake a hand, or look someone in the eye?
In our recent Cyber Safety Cop webinar, Must-Know People Skills for Your Teen in Today’s Wired World, child safety expert Clayton Cranford sat down with educator and author Kurt Manakee to talk about a growing crisis: teens who are digitally connected but emotionally underprepared for the real world.
Kurt’s best-selling books, Smile & Succeed for Teens and Smile: Sell More with Amazing Customer Service, are used in schools, homes, and job-training programs across the country. In this powerful discussion, he breaks down simple ways parents can help their children succeed in real-life situations—starting now.
If you’re a Premium Member, you can watch the full replay now. If you haven’t yet joined our community, we encourage you to consider becoming a member today. You’ll unlock this valuable webinar and a continuously expanding collection of expert-led resources, all designed to equip parents for the challenges of the digital age.
In the meantime, here’s a breakdown of what your teen needs—and how you can help.
Why People Skills Matter More Than Ever
Smartphones have changed how young people grow up. But that “always online” lifestyle often leads to:
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Social anxiety and avoidance of in-person interactions
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Poor communication and phone etiquette
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Missed job opportunities due to lack of preparedness
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Workplace issues like inappropriate phone use or disengagement
“We’ve lost the basics—eye contact, greetings, manners,” Kurt shared. “If your teen can walk up, smile, and say ‘How can I help you?’ they’re already ahead of the pack.”
3 Steps to Prepare Your Teen for the Real World
Practice Makes Confident
You can’t expect teens to succeed in a job interview—or even a volunteer role—without practice.
Role-Playing at Home
Let your teen practice:
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Greeting customers with a smile and confident tone
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Ordering food at a restaurant and thanking the server
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Answering phones like a professional
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Shaking hands and making eye contact
Phone Etiquette
Most teens are texting, not talking. Practice answering calls with:
“Good afternoon, this is [Name], how can I help you?”
Dining Out Tip
Let your teen take charge of ordering and remembering the server’s name. These small steps build poise and awareness.
Volunteer to Build Real Skills
If a job isn’t in the cards yet, volunteering is a perfect stepping stone.
Great Opportunities Include:
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Animal shelters
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Libraries
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Food pantries
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Church service or ushering
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Charity booths at local events
No Phones Allowed
Kurt shared the story of a teen who lost a job after one day—because he pulled out his phone during downtime. Teach your child to leave their device in the car or locker. Phones are the number one reason teens lose jobs today.
💡 Pro Tip: Pay your teen a small allowance to simulate a paycheck. It builds motivation while keeping the focus on learning.
Prepare for the Interview
Don’t assume your teen knows what to say in an interview. Practice the basics:
Mock Interview Questions:
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“Tell me about yourself.”
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“Why do you want to work here?”
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“What are your strengths?”
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“What do you know about our company?”
Do Their Homework
Help your teen look up the company’s website, values, and hours. Employers notice when applicants are unprepared.
Teach the 6 Ps
“Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Pathetically Poor Performance.” That’s the kind of lesson that sticks.
Premium Members Get More
As a Cyber Safety Cop Premium Member, you’ll receive:
✔ The full Must-Know People Skills webinar replay
✔ Access to all past and upcoming expert webinars
✔ Our full App Safety Library with tech reviews
✔ A digital copy of Parenting in the Digital World
Let’s Raise Teens Who Are Ready
When your teen knows how to smile, shake hands, and show up prepared, they’ll be confident and capable in any situation—job interview, internship, or volunteer role.
✔ Watch the Webinar Replay – See the conversation between Clayton Cranford and Kurt Manakee
✔ Practice These Steps at Home – Build the skills that employers are desperate to find
✔ Explore Kurt’s Resources – Books, courses, and guides for teens and parents
✔ Join Our Premium Membership – Get ongoing support and tools to prepare your teen for life
Together, we can help our kids move from disconnected to confident—and truly ready for the real world.
