The topic of parental access to children’s social media accounts has become increasingly relevant in recent years, reflecting growing concerns about online safety and digital privacy. This subject has appeared in various forms in IELTS Writing Task 2 prompts, often exploring the balance between parental supervision and children’s autonomy in the digital age. Based on trends in past IELTS exams and the current societal focus on digital well-being, it’s likely that this topic will continue to be a popular choice for future tests.
Let’s examine a sample question that encapsulates this issue:
Some people believe that parents should have full access to their children’s social media accounts to ensure their safety. Others argue that this invades children’s privacy. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Analysis of the Question
This question presents a typical IELTS Writing Task 2 format, asking candidates to discuss both sides of an argument and provide their own perspective. The key aspects to address are:
- The view that parents should have full access to children’s social media accounts for safety reasons.
- The opposing view that this access invades children’s privacy.
- Your personal opinion on the matter, supported by reasoning.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In the digital age, the question of parental access to children’s social media accounts has become a contentious issue, balancing child safety against privacy concerns. While some advocate for full parental oversight, others argue for children’s right to digital privacy. This essay will examine both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.
Proponents of parental access emphasize the paramount importance of child safety in the online world. They argue that unrestricted access allows parents to monitor potential threats such as cyberbullying, online predators, or exposure to inappropriate content. This oversight can enable timely intervention and guidance, potentially preventing serious harm to a child’s mental and emotional well-being. Moreover, this approach can foster open communication between parents and children about responsible online behavior.
On the other hand, those who oppose unrestricted parental access contend that it infringes upon children’s right to privacy and personal growth. They posit that privacy is crucial for developing independence, self-reliance, and trust. Constant surveillance may lead to resentment, damaged parent-child relationships, and hinder the child’s ability to navigate social situations independently. Furthermore, this intrusion might push children to create secret accounts or find alternative ways to communicate, potentially exposing them to greater risks.
In my opinion, a balanced approach that respects both safety concerns and privacy rights is most beneficial. Instead of full access, parents should focus on digital literacy education and open dialogue with their children about online safety. This could involve setting clear guidelines, discussing potential online risks, and establishing a trust-based system where children feel comfortable sharing their online experiences. Periodic check-ins, rather than constant monitoring, can provide a safety net without overly infringing on privacy.
In conclusion, while the safety of children online is undoubtedly crucial, it should not come at the cost of stunting their personal growth and independence. By fostering trust, communication, and digital awareness, parents can protect their children while also respecting their privacy and autonomy in the digital sphere.
(Word count: 309)
Parent teaching child digital literacy
Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay
This essay demonstrates characteristics of a high-scoring IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, discussing both viewpoints and clearly presenting a personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is well-organized with clear paragraphing and effective use of cohesive devices (e.g., “On the other hand”, “Moreover”, “In conclusion”).
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Lexical Resource: It uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and appropriately (e.g., “contentious issue”, “paramount importance”, “timely intervention”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay showcases a variety of complex sentence structures with high accuracy (e.g., “While some advocate for…”, “Instead of full access, parents should…”).
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Critical Thinking: The essay demonstrates nuanced thinking by proposing a balanced approach rather than simply choosing one side.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Nowadays, social media has become a big part of children’s lives, and many parents worry about their safety online. Some people think parents should be able to see everything their kids do on social media, while others say this is not fair to the children. In this essay, I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
Those who support parents having full access to their children’s social media accounts say it’s important for keeping kids safe. They believe that by watching what their children do online, parents can protect them from dangerous people or bullies. Also, parents can make sure their kids are not sharing too much personal information or seeing bad content. This can help prevent problems before they happen.
However, other people argue that children need privacy, even on social media. They say that if parents are always watching, kids won’t learn how to be responsible on their own. It might also make children not trust their parents and try to hide things from them. This could actually make it more dangerous for kids because they might use secret accounts that their parents don’t know about.
In my opinion, I think there should be a balance between safety and privacy. Parents should talk to their children about how to be safe online and set some rules. Instead of looking at everything, parents could check their kids’ accounts sometimes or be friends with them on social media. This way, children can have some privacy but parents can still make sure they’re safe.
To conclude, while it’s important to keep children safe on social media, it’s also important to respect their privacy. The best solution is for parents and children to communicate openly and find a way to balance safety and independence.
(Word count: 282)
Parent and child discussing social media usage
Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay
This essay demonstrates characteristics of a mid-range IELTS Writing Task 2 response:
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Task Achievement: The essay addresses all parts of the task, presenting both viewpoints and offering a personal opinion.
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Coherence and Cohesion: The essay has a clear structure with appropriate paragraphing. It uses some cohesive devices, though less sophisticated than the Band 8-9 essay.
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Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with some attempt at using less common words (e.g., “dangerous people”, “personal information”).
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Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentences with generally good control, though with less variety than the higher band essay.
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Critical Thinking: The essay shows some analysis of the issue, offering a balanced view in the conclusion.
Key Vocabulary
- Contentious (adjective) – /kənˈtenʃəs/ – causing or likely to cause disagreement
- Paramount (adjective) – /ˈpærəmaʊnt/ – more important than anything else
- Intervention (noun) – /ˌɪntəˈvenʃn/ – the action of becoming involved in a situation to improve it
- Infringe (verb) – /ɪnˈfrɪndʒ/ – to limit or restrict someone’s rights
- Autonomy (noun) – /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ – the right or condition of self-government
- Surveillance (noun) – /səˈveɪləns/ – close observation of a person or group
- Digital literacy (noun phrase) – the ability to use information and communication technologies
- Cyberbullying (noun) – /ˈsaɪbəˌbʊliɪŋ/ – the use of electronic communication to bully a person
- Online predator (noun phrase) – a person who uses the internet to exploit or abuse others, especially children
- Digital sphere (noun phrase) – the online world or digital environment
In conclusion, the topic of parental access to children’s social media accounts is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2. It touches on important themes such as digital safety, privacy rights, and the evolving nature of parenting in the digital age. When approaching this topic, consider discussing the balance between safety and privacy, the importance of digital literacy education, and the role of trust and communication in parent-child relationships.
For practice, try writing your own essay on this topic or a related one, such as:
- The impact of social media on family relationships
- The role of schools in teaching digital citizenship
- The advantages and disadvantages of children using social media
Share your practice essays in the comments section for feedback and discussion. This active engagement will help you improve your writing skills and prepare effectively for the IELTS Writing Task 2.
