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

Computers, the internet, and technology in general, all have its benefits and disadvantages when it comes to safety. Some of the advantages of computers is also the very thing that is a disadvantage. One advantage that comes to mind is how convenient everything is with computers. Online banking, emailing, researching, news updates, and ease of communication are huge quality of life improvements to those with access to computers and the internet. This convenience is a double-edged sword though, as it’s also more convenient and easier for criminals to conduct their crimes over the internet, and not in person. There was an obvious rise in child grooming victims because it was easier to coerce a child over the internet rather than in front of them. Luckily, computers can also be used by others to track online criminals down, and technology can be used to log evidence of crime to help convict them in court. Sometimes, criminals actually incriminate themselves by posting about their deeds online to show their friends. This makes it easier for law enforcement to find exactly who the guilty individual is in relation to a crime. It is not the fault of the computers, the internet, or the technology for online crimes, just those that take advantage of this “seemingly anonymous” medium to try and scheme, deceive, and hurt others. It is human nature, unfortunately. Blame should be placed onto the criminal, and not what they used for the crime. Taking away aspects of technology for everyone will not help crime go down. I think it may actually make the crime rate of traditional, in person crimes go up instead. There is so much good that come from computer technology, that I think it far outweighs the bad.