The introduction of computers and internet has drastically changed the landscape of the entire planet. At this point, they are so integrated into society that even the most basic things in our lives wouldn’t function without a computer. When talking about safety, computers have their pros and cons; let’s touch on a few of them.

One of the biggest changes computers have brought about is the ease of communication. Only 40 years ago, we were relying on landline telephones to communicate. 150 years ago, society relied on morse code and if we go even further back, horse back mail men and carrier pigeons were the norm. Today, we have instant messaging, social media, and internet access almost anywhere in the world that allows us to communicate with others. Through this revolutionary invention, we now have faster communication for emergency responders, national emergency/natural disaster warnings and more, cutting down response time to save lives.  Another enhancement in safety brought about by computers is automation within infrastructure. Power plants, electrical grids and even traffic lights are almost entirely controlled by computers. With these enhancements, computers can now isolate issues within critical systems, allowing for shorter downtimes if a casualty occurs. Finally, the last safety enhancement we have seen is the implementation of security systems. These systems are used to monitor and protect public spaces, private property, and again critical infrastructure. Another is biometric scanners and facial recognition that has been implemented into some organizations. These enhancements guarantee a stricter security protocol, protecting more people and assets than ever before. As prior mentioned, there are some cons that come with them massive surge in computer usage.

For one, the extreme dependency society has on this technology. Almost everything is controlled by computers, and it would take only one massive cyber attack from a hostile entity to take down power grids, internet and satellite services, communications and so much more. This would cripple city or even a state causing widespread car accidents, plane crashes, power outages and panic. There are also concerns for privacy. Due to the mass collection and storage of personal data; they can be used to track individuals, discriminate against those with different views and violate civil liberties.