Some people consider computers to be more of a hindrance than a help. Others believe that they have greatly increased human potential. How could computers be considered a hindrance?

Computers are extensively used these days almost everywhere. This includes banks, offices, hospitals, homes, schools, research labs, retail shops, space stations and so on. People have different views about the benefits and drawbacks of computers while this essay examines how could computers be considered an impediment. To 1begincommence with, using computers for long hours by children is counterproductive because overuse of 2computersit can make children addicted to digital games, less 3inclinedenthusiastic to socialise, lethargic and obese due to 4a lack of physical activitythe lack of their physical activities. Moreover, 5many childrenmany children often rely on calculators and computers for simple 6arithmetic, spelling and grammararithmetic operations, spelling and grammatical rules. This can lead to poor academic and career performance. For example, a recent study reveals that many high school students fail to do well in mathematics due to their over-reliance on computers and calculators in early childhood. Apart from that, the health hazards that overuse of computers causes cannot be overlooked. 7Computers can causeComputers can be the reason for 8poor eyesightweak eye-sight, back pain and 9severe headaches among userssevere headache for the users - according to the Medical Alliance for Public Health. Besides, hacking, spamming, and computer viruses are very common 10these days, whichthese days which can lead to fraud, data 11breachesbreaching and monetary loss. When someone's bank account, email, and blog are compromised, it can lead to disaster. Furthermore, online perpetrators can 12impersonate other peoplepretend to be someone that they are not and 13deceive people in order to take advantage of themtrap people to take unfair advantages. 14In additionIn addition to that, 15any country's national securitythe national security of any country could be compromised 16because of overreliance on computersdue to the over-reliance on computers. For instance, “Garry McKinnon” who was accused in March 2002 of perpetrating one of the biggest military computer hacks of all time, hacked 17the Pentagon's serverthe server of “The Pentagon” and learned about 18details of the country's defencethe secret of the country's defence. To conclude, every technology has both positive and negative sides and its overall impact depends on the people who use and control 19itthem. Rational and proper use of computer technology would benefit us tremendously, but it can also bring disaster when we are overly 20dependentdependant on it or misuse it.