We are on such an amazing, complex, and terrifying plane of existence these days -- specifically, the Internet. In another strange binary coded universe are endless amounts of digital data, provided by the 3 billion₊ users that upload stuff and spread messages and do all of that magical techy jazz.

This Internet mumbo-jumbo is often taken for granted, however, as people fail to notice how it not only gives us all access to more information that we could ever need or want, but also directly affects many aspects of our lives, as shown by this video, which covers how an Internet poll decided the name of this advanced British research vessel:

Even when humor can be found in the internet's content, the titling of one research boat hardly exemplifies the enormous power of the internet on our day-to-day lives. For example, the Internet nearly nominated this guy.

But it also trivialized his presence for a cheap laugh.

The world is spectacularly peculiar in the best possible way when we take a minute to notice how our realities are being shaped by our access to the Internet.

The fact of the matter is, we often take the Internet for granted. We don't take the time to consider the very real effects that the Internet has on the world and its inhabitants -- so with that being said, here are my five personal favorite websites (in no particular order) committed to what I find to be a good cause!

1. Free Rice

This website subjects you to trivia-style questions and donates a certain amount of rice for every question answered correctly. So far, Free Rice has donated over 92 billion grains of rice. I'm not exactly sure how much that is in bowls or children fed, but I personally think it sounds like an impressive number.

2. Bandcamp

Bandcamp is a space for musicians and bands (signed or unsigned) to advertise and sell their music. Bands can be searched by geographic location, genre, name, and hashtags. Most of the music available is very affordable if not free and a name your price option is very common.

3. Kickstarter

Super cool. Like... Bandcamp for stuff that isn't only music!

4. Etsy

Etsy offers the public a place to buy or sell handmade items. Etsy is a great way to support small local businesses and artists. It is totally free to sell and buy through them also.

5. Acorns

Acorns is a very simple and painless way to invest in the stock market. You hook your Acorns account to your bank account, and whenever you make a transaction through your card, Acorns rounds it up to the nearest dollar and invests what was left over in the stock market for you. I did extensive research on it before signing up since it sounds sketchy, but I personally love and trust it.