There are many different types of computers that give us different types of benefits. Supercomputers are the biggest and most complex of these with the largest amount of computing power. They allow us to do things like predict the weather, develop vaccines and medicines, create complex engineering models that can create the safest vehicles and buildings, and more. Computers in cars give us automatic safety features like lane drift assist, airbag deployment, and automatic braking. Almost every single one of us carries computers in our pockets which allow us to call emergency services if needed, get safety alerts about things like weather and crime, learn useful safety skills on the internet such as how to put out a grease fire or basic first aid, and anything related to safety that you can think of. Computers have, in many ways, made our lives so much safer.

In other ways, however, computers have made our lives less safe. People are spending more and more time interacting with computers and less time being active. This sedentary lifestyle has negative health consequences that can even shorten our lives. Computers also make it easier for people to become victims of crime. Because a cybercriminal can attack anyone from anywhere, people are never truly safe. They can become a victim of fraud, harassment, or identity theft at any time. Also, with our heavy reliance on computers, errors in them can be fatal. Computers control critical infrastructure like hospital systems, water sanitation and distribution, electricity, and more. Errors in these things can cause a reduction in safety and even lead to lives lost.

Clearly, computers contribute to our lives in both positive and negative ways that can lead to either an increase or a reduction in our safety. It is important we learn how to utilize computers to our best advantage and to mitigate the concerns or problems that may come with them.