The first paragraph of the article performs a specific function. What is it?

From communication to entertainment to easy access of information, the internet has become an integral part of daily life for billions of people worldwide. In the last 20 years, internet usage has increased more than 1000%, simplifying tasks in personal, social, and economic domains. Instantaneous access to limitless amounts of news and information, though convenient, is also cause for debate. As in the past, when certain books, plays, TV, films and radio were restricted in order to protect the public from offensive or objectionable content, the internet is currently the subject of censorship.