Keller @ Large: Don't Believe Everything You Read Online

BOSTON (CBS) -- We have a problem in our country, a major problem that is rapidly poisoning our culture and our politics.

No, not Congress, it's the internet, and its addictive delivery systems. We love our tablets and smartphones, but are only beginning to wake up to their toxic effects.

Internet addiction; damaged relationships; loss of communication skills; erosion of face to face contact; exposure to cons and predators; the list goes on and on.

Add another one – the suspension of disbelief by people who should know better, but don't.

Consider this exchange a CBS reporter had with a Trump supporter about the father of that slain Army captain who denounced Trump at the Democratic Convention.

"He doesn't even live in this country," the man said. Told by the reporter that, in fact, Mr. Khan does live here, he replied: "That's not what the Internet is saying. You know what's on the Internet is true."

Who knows what websites this guy is getting his info from. Chances are they're not much interested in truth, and neither are their readers.

How many people even care anymore if what they read is true, as long as it scratches their itch? Whose Facebook feed doesn't include a steady flow of passed-along myths and vouched-for fantasies?

It's a huge, fast-growing social problem that fits in the palms of our hands.

The question is, do we really grasp how bad it's getting?

Listen to Jon's commentary: