On March 11, 1989, no one could have guessed the impact British computer programmer Tim Berners-Lee would have on the world as he submitted a proposal for an information management system that garnered a reply from his boss that simply said “vague but exciting.”

This “vague but exciting” idea eventually became known as the World Wide Web that created the system that functions on the Internet today.

The Web is something that has been a vital part of our life.

We use it to connect with others on Facebook and Twitter; we use it to see people’s photos on Instagram and we use it to order food and other items that are now delivered right to our door.

We are constantly plugged into something that has stemmed from the invention of the World Wide Web.

There are negative sides to the Web, from digital bullying to conflict that allows the entire world to follow threads of comments that go back and forth with users.

There are, however, many positives that have come from this invention.

The world is searchable because of this invention.

People from all over can learn about anything they want including our community of Selma.

They can learn about the impactful Civil Rights movement that happened here as people marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in their fight for equal voting rights.

There is so much knowledge out there that the Web connects us to.

Like any other tool, the Web should be used wisely. It can be used for good, but can also be used for evil as well.

Even Lee, who published an open letter on Tuesday, said the Web has become so many things for different people.

“And while the Web has created opportunity, given marginalized groups a voice, and made our daily lives easier, it has also created opportunity for scammers, given a voice to those who spread hatred, and made all kinds of crime easier to commit,” wrote Lee. “The web is for everyone and collectively we hold the power to change it. It won’t be easy. But if we dream a little and work a lot, we can get the web we want.”

We should all be part of the solution when it comes to the tool and service that we all rely on so much.

It is up to all of us to bring about the Web we all want.