While the internet does provide a easy and anonymous forum to scream and yell at each other, the access to information (even if some of it is misinformation) far outweighs the negative impact of public conflict. Misinformation and conflict has always been out there it just used to spread a lot slower and maybe not get in the mainstream. This biggest issue I see is that the right to free speech has been superseded by the right "not to be offended" which I can't seem to find in the Constitution. I'm a free speech absolutist, they way I look at is if someone is burning an American flag or waving a Nazi flag, I want them out in the public and not hiding in the shadows. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Of course there is a discussion to be had about rights vs. responsibilities.
The biggest difference I see between "then and now" is the lack of tolerance of opposing opinions. Good faith debate used to be more prevalent, now an opposing opinion is met with insults and claims of "ism" or cries to be silenced. There seems to be a trend for many that if you have one particular opinion (or voted for a certain person) then you meet a checklist of other opinions, when in fact most people are far more nuanced and moderate and not purely partisan. We have a habit of placing people in boxes which this forum so clearly illustrates. The most hard fought issues are those that are emotional causes that often have little to do with substance, common sense or reality.
The apparent death in journalism hasn't helped the situation either. In the place of accuracy and substance we get journalists that want to be the first to report with a focus on emotion and promoting conflict. Posting Tweets for a story has now become a prominent form of journalism. Obviously, the line between news and punditry has been completely destroyed.
We have a lot more in common, than politics but some are deciding friendships based solely on politics. That's crazy. The good news is I'm seeing a recent trend where being a parent is far stronger than whether you are a Dem or Rep.