Social media regulation for minors has become a pressing topic in recent years, frequently appearing in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions. Based on past exam trends and current social issues, this theme is likely to continue being a popular subject in future IELTS tests. Let’s examine a relevant question that has appeared in recent exams:

Some people think that governments should regulate the use of social media by minors. Others believe that parents should be responsible for monitoring their children’s online activities. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Analysis of the Question

This question presents two contrasting viewpoints on who should be responsible for regulating minors’ social media use: governments or parents. It requires candidates to:

1. Discuss the perspective of government regulation
2. Explore the viewpoint of parental responsibility
3. Provide a personal opinion on the matter

Now, let’s look at sample essays for different band scores, along with explanations of their strengths and weaknesses.

Sample Essay for Band 8-9

Social media has become an integral part of young people’s lives, raising concerns about its potential negative impacts. While some argue that governments should take charge of regulating minors’ social media usage, others believe this responsibility lies with parents. In my opinion, a collaborative approach involving both parties would be most effective in addressing this issue.

Those who advocate for government intervention argue that official regulations can provide a standardized framework for protecting minors online. By implementing age restrictions, content filters, and usage time limits, governments can create a safer digital environment for young users. For instance, China’s implementation of strict regulations on online gaming for minors demonstrates how governmental action can effectively curb excessive screen time. Moreover, government-led initiatives can ensure that social media companies are held accountable for their platforms’ impact on young users, potentially leading to improved safety features and more responsible content moderation.

On the other hand, proponents of parental responsibility emphasize the crucial role of family in a child’s development. Parents are best positioned to understand their children’s individual needs and maturity levels, allowing for more personalized guidance. By actively engaging in their children’s online activities, parents can teach critical thinking skills, digital literacy, and responsible internet use. Furthermore, parental involvement fosters open communication about online experiences, enabling timely intervention when issues arise. For example, parents can use monitoring software or set household rules regarding device usage to maintain oversight of their children’s online behavior.

In my view, the most effective approach would be a combination of government regulations and parental involvement. While governments can establish baseline protections and hold social media companies accountable, parents play an irreplaceable role in guiding their children’s online experiences. This collaborative effort would create a comprehensive safety net, addressing both systemic issues and individual needs. For instance, governments could mandate social media platforms to provide robust parental control features, empowering parents to customize their children’s online experience within a broader regulatory framework.

In conclusion, the regulation of minors’ social media use requires a multi-faceted approach. By combining government oversight with active parental engagement, society can better protect young users while also equipping them with the skills needed to navigate the digital world responsibly.

(Word count: 365)

Social media regulation for minors

Explanation of Band 8-9 Score

This essay demonstrates several qualities that contribute to a high band score:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly stating a personal opinion. It provides well-developed ideas and relevant examples.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. It uses a range of cohesive devices effectively (e.g., “While,” “On the other hand,” “Moreover”).

3. Lexical Resource: The essay employs a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (e.g., “integral,” “advocating,” “crucial,” “personalized guidance,” “collaborative effort”).

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: It showcases a variety of complex sentence structures with minimal errors. The essay uses a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences effectively.

5. Development and Support: Each main point is well-supported with relevant examples and explanations, demonstrating a deep understanding of the topic.

Sample Essay for Band 6-7

Nowadays, social media has become very popular among young people. Some people think the government should control how minors use social media, while others believe parents should be responsible for this. I will discuss both views and give my opinion.

There are good reasons why the government should regulate social media use for minors. First, the government has the power to make laws that all social media companies must follow. They can set age limits and force companies to have better safety features. For example, they could make a rule that children under 13 can’t have social media accounts. This would help protect young children from online dangers. Also, the government can punish companies that don’t follow the rules, which might make social media safer for everyone.

On the other hand, many people think parents should be in charge of their children’s social media use. Parents know their children best and can decide what’s right for them. They can teach their kids about online safety and set rules at home about when and how to use social media. For instance, parents can limit screen time or check their children’s online activities. This way, children can learn to use social media responsibly with their parents’ guidance.

In my opinion, both the government and parents have important roles to play. The government can make general rules to protect all children, while parents can give personal guidance to their own kids. I think this combination would work best to keep children safe on social media.

To conclude, while the government can create laws to protect minors on social media, parents also have a crucial role in guiding their children’s online behavior. A mix of both approaches would be the most effective way to ensure children’s safety on social media platforms.

(Word count: 295)

Explanation of Band 6-7 Score

This essay demonstrates characteristics that place it in the Band 6-7 range:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and offering a personal opinion. However, the ideas are less fully developed compared to the Band 8-9 essay.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. It uses some cohesive devices, but less skillfully than the higher band essay.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with some attempt at using less common words. However, the range is more limited compared to the Band 8-9 essay.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good control. There are fewer complex structures compared to the higher band essay.

5. Development and Support: Each main point is supported with examples, but they are less detailed and sophisticated than in the Band 8-9 essay.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. regulate (verb) /ˈreɡjʊleɪt/ – to control or supervise something by means of rules
2. intervention (noun) /ˌɪntəˈvenʃən/ – the action of becoming involved in a situation to improve it
3. accountability (noun) /əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/ – the fact of being responsible for your decisions or actions
4. crucial (adjective) /ˈkruːʃəl/ – extremely important or necessary
5. personalized (adjective) /ˈpɜːsənəlaɪzd/ – designed or produced for a particular person
6. collaborative (adjective) /kəˈlæbərətɪv/ – involving two or more people working together
7. comprehensive (adjective) /ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv/ – including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something
8. multi-faceted (adjective) /ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/ – having many different aspects or features

Conclusion

The topic of regulating minors’ social media use is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. To prepare, practice writing essays on related themes such as:

• The impact of social media on children’s mental health
• The role of technology in education and its potential risks
• Balancing privacy and safety in the digital age for young users
• The effectiveness of age restrictions on social media platforms

Remember to structure your essays clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and provide relevant examples to support your arguments. Feel free to share your practice essays in the comments section below for feedback and further improvement.