In the past, families kept photographs in albums and important papers in a box at home. Today, many people store these things only on the internet. This essay will explain why this is happening and argue that it is largely a positive development, provided some sensible precautions are taken.
The main reason is convenience. A smartphone automatically uploads every picture to an online account, so people do not need to do anything to save them. Documents such as passports, insurance policies and bills can be scanned in seconds and found later by typing a single word, which is far quicker than searching through drawers. Space is another factor. Many people live in small flats and have no room for boxes of paper, whereas a cloud account can hold thousands of files at little or no cost. Finally, digital files are easy to share: grandparents abroad can see photographs of a new baby the same day they are taken.
In my view, this is mostly a positive change. Files stored online are protected from physical dangers such as fire, flooding or theft, which have destroyed many family albums in the past. People can also reach important documents when they are travelling, which can be extremely useful if a passport is lost. However, relying on a single online account is risky. If a password is forgotten, a company closes or an account is hacked, years of memories could disappear. It is therefore wise to keep a second copy on a separate hard drive and to print the photographs that matter most.
In conclusion, people store their records online because it is easy, cheap and convenient. This is a positive trend overall, as long as people do not depend on one service alone.