Social media’s influence on beauty standards has become an increasingly prevalent topic in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. Based on recent trends and past exam questions, this theme is likely to appear more frequently in future tests. To help you prepare, we’ll analyze a relevant question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Let’s examine the following IELTS Writing Task 2 question:
Some people believe that social media has a negative impact on how people perceive beauty standards. Others think it can have positive effects. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analyzing the Question
This question requires you to:
- Discuss the negative impacts of social media on beauty standards
- Explore the potential positive effects
- Provide your personal opinion on the matter
Remember to address all parts of the question and support your arguments with relevant examples.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Social media platforms have revolutionized the way we communicate and share information, including our perceptions of beauty. While some argue that these platforms negatively impact beauty standards, others believe they can have positive effects. In my opinion, social media’s influence on beauty ideals is a double-edged sword, with both beneficial and detrimental consequences.
On the one hand, social media can perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards, leading to negative self-perception and mental health issues. The constant exposure to highly curated and often digitally altered images of “perfect” bodies and faces can create a distorted view of reality. This phenomenon has been linked to increased rates of body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and low self-esteem, particularly among young people. Moreover, the pressure to conform to these idealized standards can result in excessive focus on physical appearance at the expense of other important aspects of personal development.
On the other hand, social media has the potential to promote more diverse and inclusive beauty standards. Many influencers and brands are now using their platforms to showcase a wider range of body types, skin colors, and features, challenging traditional notions of beauty. This increased representation can help individuals feel more accepted and confident in their own appearance. Additionally, social media provides a space for people to share their personal journeys with body positivity and self-acceptance, inspiring others to embrace their unique qualities.
In my view, while social media can exacerbate insecurities and promote unrealistic ideals, it also has the power to foster a more inclusive and diverse understanding of beauty. The key lies in how we engage with these platforms and the content we choose to consume and create. By actively seeking out and supporting accounts that promote body positivity and authentic representations of diverse beauty, we can harness the positive potential of social media to reshape beauty standards for the better.
In conclusion, social media’s impact on beauty standards is complex and multifaceted. While it can reinforce harmful stereotypes, it also offers opportunities for challenging and redefining these norms. Ultimately, it is our responsibility as users to critically engage with social media content and promote more inclusive and realistic beauty ideals.
(Word count: 345)
The impact of social media on beauty standards
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Social media has become a big part of our lives, and it affects how we see beauty. Some people think it’s bad for beauty standards, while others say it can be good. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
First, social media can have negative effects on beauty standards. Many influencers and celebrities post perfect photos that are often edited. This can make regular people feel bad about themselves because they can’t look like that. It might cause problems like low self-esteem or even eating disorders, especially for young people who use social media a lot.
However, there are also some positive aspects of social media and beauty standards. It gives a platform for different types of beauty to be shown. Now we can see models of all sizes, skin colors, and ages on social media. This helps people feel more accepted and can improve body positivity. Also, some influencers use social media to talk about loving yourself and being confident, which can be inspiring for their followers.
In my opinion, social media’s effect on beauty standards depends on how we use it. If we only follow accounts that show unrealistic beauty, it can be harmful. But if we choose to follow diverse and positive accounts, it can help us feel better about ourselves and see beauty in different ways.
To conclude, social media has both good and bad impacts on beauty standards. While it can make some people feel insecure, it also has the power to promote more inclusive ideas of beauty. It’s important for users to be aware of these effects and use social media in a way that’s healthy for their self-image.
(Word count: 274)
Explanation of Band Scores
Band 8-9 Essay:
- Fully addresses all parts of the task with a well-developed response
- Presents a clear position throughout the essay
- Uses a wide range of vocabulary with very natural and sophisticated control
- Uses a wide range of complex structures with full flexibility and accuracy
- Ideas are coherently organized with clear progression throughout
- Uses cohesive devices effectively
- Contains no spelling or grammatical errors
Band 6-7 Essay:
- Addresses all parts of the task, although some parts may be more fully covered than others
- Presents a relevant position, although conclusions may become unclear or repetitive
- Uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, with some inaccuracies
- Uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms
- Arranges information coherently and there is clear overall progression
- Uses cohesive devices but not always appropriately
- May contain some errors in grammar and spelling, but they do not impede communication
Key Vocabulary to Remember
- Perception (noun) – /pəˈsepʃn/ – the way you think about or understand someone or something
- Perpetuate (verb) – /pərˈpetʃuˌeɪt/ – to cause something to continue
- Curated (adjective) – /ˈkjʊəreɪtɪd/ – carefully chosen and organized
- Body dysmorphia (noun) – /ˌbɒdi dɪsˈmɔːfɪə/ – a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance
- Inclusive (adjective) – /ɪnˈkluːsɪv/ – not limited to certain people; including everyone
- Multifaceted (adjective) – /ˌmʌltɪˈfæsɪtɪd/ – having many different aspects or features
- Exacerbate (verb) – /ɪɡˈzæsəˌbeɪt/ – to make a problem or bad situation worse
- Body positivity (noun) – /ˈbɒdi ˌpɒzəˈtɪvɪti/ – the idea that all people deserve to have a positive body image, regardless of society’s beauty standards
The impact of social media on body image issues has been a growing concern among researchers and mental health professionals. As we’ve seen in the sample essays, social media can both reinforce unrealistic beauty standards and provide a platform for challenging them. It’s crucial for users to be aware of these effects and cultivate a healthy relationship with social media content.
Diverse beauty representation on social media
In conclusion, the topic of social media’s impact on beauty standards is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS Writing Task 2 exams. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:
- The role of influencers in shaping beauty ideals
- The effects of social media filters on self-perception
- The responsibility of social media platforms in promoting healthy body image
Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and complex sentence structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. For additional practice, try writing your own essay on the given topic and share it in the comments section below. This active approach to learning can significantly improve your IELTS Writing skills.
How social media affects self-esteem among teenagers is another crucial aspect to consider when discussing this topic. By understanding these interconnected issues, you’ll be better equipped to tackle a wide range of potential questions in your IELTS Writing Task 2 exam.