The Trend of Internet Use

The advent of the internet has brought with it certain trends, some for better and some for worse. With easy access to multiple news sources, journals, blogs, and social media outlets, individuals across America and beyond have the capability to interact with each other, share information, provide services, and generally become acquainted with people and lifestyles they may otherwise never encounter.

The increased use of social outlets on the internet has been leading towards an increase in the level of public virtue in the United States. In my view, the dehumanization of others beyond the scope of one’s own experience is one of the strongest forces arrayed against large-scale peaceful and prosperous cohabitation. The potential of the internet to broadcast real-time human experiences to an ever more involved and attentive audience can be a powerful tool in serving the good of the country and the interest of our faith. In literally an instant, almost the entire nation can be made aware of some social disruption and share ideas and commentary about it; messages of faith and hope can be distributed to those most in need. With the availability and speed of this public communication, public consensuses concerning the issues that lie at the heart of major disruptions may potentially be reached and acted upon sooner, and the progress of missionary work for both the living and the dead can be greatly enhanced.

Obviously, the fruits of this trend of increased internet and social media usage have certainly not all served the public good or increased public virtue. The flood of pornography and the proliferation of extremist propaganda are obstacles in the cause of individual and societal growth. Ultimately though, I believe the facilitated coordination and communication across multiple societal boundaries will promote it.