Social media’s impact on body image is a highly relevant topic in today’s digital age, making it a popular subject for IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. Based on recent trends and the frequency of appearance in past exams, we can expect this theme to continue being a significant part of future IELTS tests. Let’s explore a sample question and provide comprehensive essay examples to help you prepare effectively for this topic.
Social Media and Body Image
Analyzing the Question
Let’s examine a typical IELTS Writing Task 2 question on this topic:
Some people believe that social media has a negative impact on people’s body image and self-esteem. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question requires you to:
- Understand the concept of body image and self-esteem
- Evaluate the influence of social media on these aspects
- Present your opinion on whether this influence is negative
- Support your viewpoint with relevant examples and explanations
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives, significantly influencing various aspects of our personal and social experiences. I strongly agree with the statement that social media negatively impacts people’s body image and self-esteem, as it often presents unrealistic standards of beauty and promotes constant comparison.
Firstly, social media platforms are flooded with carefully curated and often edited images that present an idealized version of beauty. Celebrities, influencers, and even ordinary users frequently use filters and photo-editing tools to enhance their appearance, creating an unrealistic standard that many find impossible to achieve. This constant exposure to seemingly perfect bodies and faces can lead to feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with one’s own appearance. For instance, a study by the Royal Society for Public Health found that Instagram, a popular image-sharing platform, was rated as the worst social media app for young people’s mental health and body image.
Moreover, the very nature of social media encourages constant comparison. Users are continuously exposed to the highlight reels of others’ lives, including their physical appearance. This incessant comparison can lead to a negative self-perception and lowered self-esteem. A research conducted by the University of Pennsylvania demonstrated that reducing social media usage led to significant reductions in loneliness and depression, suggesting a direct link between social media exposure and mental well-being.
However, it’s important to note that social media is not inherently negative. Some platforms and communities promote body positivity and self-acceptance. Nevertheless, these positive influences are often overshadowed by the predominant culture of perfectionism and comparison.
In conclusion, while social media has its benefits, its negative impact on body image and self-esteem is significant and concerning. To mitigate these effects, it’s crucial for individuals to develop a critical approach to the content they consume online and for social media companies to take responsibility in promoting more realistic and diverse representations of beauty.
(Word count: 309)
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
In today’s world, social media is very popular and many people think it has a bad effect on how we see our bodies and feel about ourselves. I agree that social media can have negative impacts on body image and self-esteem.
One reason why social media can be bad for body image is because it shows many perfect-looking pictures. People often post photos where they look their best, and sometimes these photos are even edited to look better. This can make others feel like they are not good enough when they compare themselves to these images. For example, many young girls might feel bad about their own bodies when they see models or celebrities on Instagram looking very thin and beautiful.
Another problem is that social media makes people always compare themselves to others. When we scroll through social media, we see many photos of other people and it’s easy to start thinking that everyone else looks better or has a better life. This constant comparison can make people feel worse about themselves and lower their self-esteem.
However, it’s also true that some parts of social media can be positive. There are some accounts and groups that try to show different body types and encourage people to love themselves. But these good messages are often not as common as the negative ones.
In conclusion, I think social media does have a mostly negative effect on body image and self-esteem. It’s important for people to be careful about what they look at online and remember that not everything they see is real. Social media companies should also try to show more realistic and diverse images of people.
(Word count: 272)
Key Writing Tips
Structure: Both essays follow a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The band 8-9 essay has more sophisticated paragraph transitions and a more nuanced conclusion.
Vocabulary: The band 8-9 essay uses more advanced vocabulary and phrases such as “integral part,” “curated,” and “mitigate.” The band 6-7 essay uses simpler language but still effectively conveys the main ideas.
Grammar: The higher band essay demonstrates a wider range of complex structures, while the band 6-7 essay uses simpler sentence structures but maintains grammatical accuracy.
Task Response: Both essays address the question directly, but the band 8-9 essay provides more detailed examples and a more balanced view.
Coherence and Cohesion: The band 8-9 essay shows better use of cohesive devices and more sophisticated paragraph linking.
Essential Vocabulary
- body image (noun) /ˈbɒdi ˈɪmɪdʒ/ – a person’s perception of their physical self
- self-esteem (noun) /ˌselfɪˈstiːm/ – confidence in one’s own worth or abilities
- curate (verb) /kjʊəˈreɪt/ – to select, organize, and present content
- idealized (adjective) /aɪˈdɪəlaɪzd/ – regarded or represented as perfect or better than reality
- inadequacy (noun) /ɪnˈædɪkwəsi/ – the state of being insufficient or incapable
- dissatisfaction (noun) /ˌdɪsˌsætɪsˈfækʃn/ – lack of contentment or pleasure
- incessant (adjective) /ɪnˈsesnt/ – continuing without pause or interruption
- mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – to make less severe or serious
- perfectionism (noun) /pəˈfekʃənɪzəm/ – refusal to accept any standard short of perfection
- predominant (adjective) /prɪˈdɒmɪnənt/ – present as the strongest or main element
In conclusion, mastering the art of writing about how social media affects body image requires a good understanding of the topic, strong language skills, and the ability to structure your ideas coherently. Practice writing essays on similar topics such as “The impact of social media on mental health” or “The role of social media in shaping beauty standards” to further enhance your skills. Remember to focus on providing balanced arguments, using relevant examples, and maintaining a clear structure in your essays.
We encourage you to practice writing an essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This active practice is an excellent way to improve your IELTS Writing skills and get feedback from others preparing for the test.