Describe three ways that computers have made the world safer and less safe.

Computers have made the world a safer place on the one hand, but they have also made it a less safe place on the other. Nobody could have predicted that computers would evolve into the dual-sided machines that they are today when they were first introduced into society. We think of computers as allies, but with only one click, they can turn against us. Understanding how computers can both keep us safe and hurt us is a lesson that almost everyone has learned while using computers at some point in their lives.

Computers have made the world a safer place by defending us with clever weapons systems, storing and encrypting our personal files, and allowing people to interact without having to meet in person. The ability to detect enemy threats before they reach our borders has given the American people a sense of security, knowing how sophisticated our computer systems are at protecting lives from attacks. Similarly, computers are capable of storing personal information and protecting it from prying eyes who could harm you by stealing files that should only be accessible to the user. Computers also provide a safe haven since they allow individuals to communicate face-to-face without having to be face-to-face in the event of a pandemic such as COVID-19.

Computers have also made the world a more dangerous place by allowing hackers access to personal data, causing health risks from spending so many hours a day staring at displays, and allowing minors access to information that they should not be watching. Yes, software may be installed on computers to identify any threat that could damage the system, but there are hackers who can circumvent certain security and gain access to personal files and data. Furthermore, due to the blue light emitted by computer monitors, spending too much time in front of a computer screen might affect your eyesight and cause you to have restless nights. Computers can also be damaging to children due to the large amount of inappropriate material that they supply. I believe that computers are fantastic machines that, when utilized correctly, can greatly benefit society, but that when used incorrectly, they can hurt the public.