Advertising’s influence on teenage self-esteem is a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. This topic has appeared multiple times in recent years and is likely to continue being relevant due to the growing concern about social media’s impact on youth. Let’s explore this theme through sample essays and analysis, focusing on a question that closely resembles past exam prompts.
How does advertising influence consumer choices is a related topic that often intersects with the effects of advertising on teenage self-esteem. Understanding these connections can help you develop more comprehensive arguments in your essays.
Analyzing the Question
Some people believe that advertisements targeting teenagers negatively impact their self-esteem and body image. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?
This question requires you to express your opinion on whether advertisements aimed at teenagers have a detrimental effect on their self-esteem and body image. You need to:
- Clearly state your position (agree, disagree, or partially agree)
- Provide reasons and examples to support your view
- Discuss potential counterarguments
- Draw a conclusion that reinforces your main point
Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In today’s media-saturated world, the impact of advertising on teenagers’ self-perception has become a subject of intense debate. I strongly agree that advertisements targeting adolescents can have a detrimental effect on their self-esteem and body image, primarily due to the unrealistic standards they often promote and the psychological tactics they employ.
Firstly, advertisements frequently present idealized and often unattainable standards of beauty and success. Teenagers, who are at a crucial stage of identity formation, are particularly vulnerable to these messages. For instance, fashion and cosmetic advertisements often feature digitally altered images of models with flawless skin and impossibly perfect bodies. This creates an unrealistic benchmark against which young people measure themselves, inevitably leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth.
Moreover, the advertising industry employs sophisticated psychological techniques to create artificial needs and insecurities. By highlighting perceived flaws and offering products as solutions, these ads can exacerbate existing insecurities or even create new ones in impressionable young minds. For example, acne treatment advertisements often dramatize the social consequences of skin blemishes, potentially causing teenagers to feel abnormal or socially unacceptable for experiencing a common biological process.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that not all advertising is inherently harmful. Some campaigns promote positive messages about self-acceptance and diversity. Additionally, media literacy education can empower teenagers to critically analyze advertisements and resist their negative influences. Nevertheless, these positive aspects are often overshadowed by the sheer volume and persuasive power of ads promoting unrealistic ideals.
In conclusion, while there are some exceptions, I believe that the majority of advertisements targeting teenagers do indeed have a negative impact on their self-esteem and body image. To mitigate these effects, stricter regulations on advertising content and increased focus on media literacy in education are crucial steps towards protecting the psychological well-being of our youth.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
I agree that advertisements targeting teenagers can have a negative effect on their self-esteem and body image. This is because ads often show perfect-looking people and create unrealistic expectations.
One reason why ads can harm teenagers’ self-esteem is that they often use very attractive models. These models usually have perfect skin, hair, and bodies that are hard for normal people to achieve. When teenagers see these images all the time, they might start to feel bad about their own looks. For example, a teenage girl might feel ugly because she doesn’t look like the models in makeup ads.
Another problem is that ads try to make people buy things by making them feel insecure. They might suggest that you need a certain product to be popular or successful. This can make teenagers worry more about their appearance and feel less confident. For instance, an ad for acne cream might make a teenager with pimples feel like they can’t have friends unless they use that product.
However, not all ads are bad. Some ads promote good messages about being healthy or accepting yourself. Also, if teenagers learn to think critically about ads, they might not be affected as much. But overall, I think the negative effects of ads on teenagers are stronger than the positive ones.
In conclusion, I believe that most advertisements do harm teenagers’ self-esteem and body image. To solve this problem, there should be stricter rules about what ads can show, and schools should teach students how to understand and question the messages in ads.
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
I think advertisements for teenagers can be bad for how they feel about themselves. Many ads show people who look very good and this can make teenagers feel not good enough.
One reason is that ads have models who are very beautiful. These models often have perfect skin and bodies. Teenagers might feel bad when they see these ads because they don’t look like the models. For example, a boy might feel sad because he is not as muscular as the men in clothing ads.
Another problem is that ads try to sell things by making people feel they need to change. They might say you need to buy something to be cool or attractive. This can make teenagers worry about how they look. Like if an ad says you need special shoes to be popular, a teenager might feel bad if they can’t buy those shoes.
But some ads can be good too. They might tell people to be healthy or to like themselves. And if teenagers learn to think about ads carefully, they might not feel so bad. But I think there are more bad effects than good ones.
To finish, I believe most ads do make teenagers feel bad about themselves. I think there should be rules to stop ads from being too perfect, and schools should teach kids how to understand ads better.
Vocabulary to Remember
- self-esteem (noun) /ˌsɛlf əˈstiːm/ – confidence in one’s own worth or abilities
- body image (noun) /ˈbɒdi ˈɪmɪdʒ/ – a person’s perception of their physical self
- vulnerable (adjective) /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/ – susceptible to physical or emotional harm
- idealized (adjective) /aɪˈdɪəlaɪzd/ – regarded or represented as perfect or better than reality
- insecurity (noun) /ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊərəti/ – lack of confidence or assurance
- impressionable (adjective) /ɪmˈprɛʃənəbəl/ – easily influenced or affected
- mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – make less severe, serious, or painful
- media literacy (noun) /ˈmiːdiə ˈlɪtərəsi/ – the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media
Should there be stricter regulations on advertising to children is another important aspect to consider when discussing the effects of advertising on young people’s self-esteem.
Conclusion
The impact of advertising on teenage self-esteem is a complex and important topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. By understanding the nuances of this issue and practicing with sample essays, you can improve your ability to craft well-structured, persuasive arguments.
For further practice, consider writing essays on related topics such as:
- The role of social media influencers in shaping teenage attitudes and behaviors
- The effectiveness of body positivity campaigns in countering negative advertising effects
- The responsibility of advertisers in promoting healthy body images to young audiences
The impact of advertising on consumerism among teenagers is another closely related topic that you might encounter in your IELTS preparation.
We encourage you to write your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments section below. This practice will help you refine your writing skills and receive valuable feedback from others preparing for the IELTS exam.