The Internet's Good Side

We often talk about the internet as a good thing that can be used badly. The possibilities for good within the internet are abundant but they only gain attention rarely. More often we see the negative consequences of type happy trolls spread across the world wide web. But nowadays we have dozens of possibilities to do good in the world through the web. From GoFundMe to the Ice Bucket Challenge people are raising money and awareness. While some argue that it's not real altruism, I believe that it is helping the world in great ways. I think the internet provides a larger platform for people to connect and join together. I feel that it makes it easier for people to build a network and get their message out. The internet provides a place for just about anything to happen and it can reach way beyond the small confines of social groups. Websites like GoFundMe are crucial for organizations and individuals to reach out in times of need. However, like anything, this can have negative sides. For instance, people using the site for less than serious means. Like women posting requests for money for cosmetic surgeries or for their cross-country trips. To me, this is taking the money away from more necessary things. I know that money is something people can and will choose to spend on what they please. But it feels that people are asking for handouts that might really not need them. Also, sometimes people lie. This is horrible but it has been done that people collect and keep the money while hiding behind some secret agenda. It's hard to know when people are being honest when it's all behind a screen. I wish the world wasn't this way but it is. I have used and donated to such sites and it truly makes it easy to reach more people. It's so amazing how quickly a group can get help from the amazing people online willing to meet their needs. I think that we do have potential to make the internet great and I hope for those that don't that they learn to.