The topic of social media censorship for minors is increasingly relevant in today’s digital age. This issue has appeared in several IELTS Writing Task 2 questions over the past few years, reflecting growing concerns about online safety and the impact of social media on young people. Given its timely nature, there’s a high probability that similar questions will continue to appear in future IELTS exams.
After reviewing past IELTS exams and current trends, I’ve selected the following question as our focus:
Some people believe that social media platforms should be heavily censored for users under 18 years old. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?
Let’s analyze this question and provide sample essays for different band scores.
Question Analysis
This question asks for your opinion on whether social media should be heavily censored for minors (users under 18). Key points to consider:
- The term “heavily censored” implies strict control or limitation of content.
- The question is specifically about users under 18, not all social media users.
- You need to state your level of agreement or disagreement and explain your reasons.
- Consider both sides of the argument before presenting your viewpoint.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
In today’s digital era, the question of whether social media should be heavily censored for minors is a topic of heated debate. While I acknowledge the concerns that drive this suggestion, I largely disagree with the idea of heavy censorship for users under 18.
Firstly, heavy censorship could potentially hinder the development of critical thinking skills in young people. Social media, when used responsibly, can expose teenagers to a diverse range of ideas, cultures, and perspectives. This exposure is crucial for developing the ability to discern credible information from misinformation, a skill that is increasingly important in our information-saturated world. By implementing strict censorship, we risk creating an artificial online environment that doesn’t reflect the realities of the world they will soon enter as adults.
Moreover, excessive censorship may prove counterproductive, potentially driving minors towards less regulated and potentially more dangerous online spaces. Teenagers are naturally curious and often rebel against restrictions. If they feel overly controlled on mainstream social media platforms, they might seek out alternative, less secure platforms where they could be exposed to even greater risks.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that some level of content moderation is necessary to protect minors from explicit content, cyberbullying, and online predators. Rather than heavy-handed censorship, a more balanced approach would be to implement age-appropriate content filters that can be adjusted by parents or guardians. This approach, combined with comprehensive digital literacy education, would empower young users to navigate social media safely and responsibly.
In conclusion, while the protection of minors online is paramount, heavy censorship of social media is not the most effective solution. A more nuanced approach that combines moderate content filtering, parental controls, and digital education would better prepare young people for the online world while still providing necessary safeguards. Ultimately, teaching minors to be discerning digital citizens will serve them better than sheltering them from all potential online risks.
(Word count: 309)
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates several qualities that contribute to its high band score:
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Clear position: The writer clearly states their disagreement with heavy censorship while acknowledging the need for some protection.
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Well-developed arguments: Each paragraph presents a distinct point, fully explained with logical reasoning.
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Balanced view: The essay considers both sides of the argument, showing a nuanced understanding of the issue.
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Cohesion and coherence: Ideas flow smoothly with appropriate use of linking words and phrases.
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Lexical resource: The essay uses a wide range of vocabulary accurately and effectively. For example:
- “heated debate”
- “hinder the development of critical thinking skills”
- “discern credible information from misinformation”
- “counterproductive”
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Grammatical range and accuracy: The essay demonstrates a variety of complex structures used accurately. For instance:
- “While I acknowledge the concerns that drive this suggestion, I largely disagree…”
- “Rather than heavy-handed censorship, a more balanced approach would be to…”
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Task response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, providing a clear opinion with well-supported ideas.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
The question of whether social media should be heavily censored for users under 18 is a complicated issue. While there are some good reasons for censorship, I believe that heavy censorship is not the best solution.
One argument for censoring social media for minors is to protect them from harmful content. There is a lot of inappropriate material on social media, including violence, sexual content, and hate speech. Censorship could help keep young people safe from these dangers. Additionally, it might reduce cyberbullying, which is a serious problem for many teenagers.
However, there are also strong arguments against heavy censorship. Firstly, it could limit young people’s access to important information and diverse perspectives. Social media can be a valuable tool for learning about the world and connecting with different cultures. Secondly, strict censorship might make social media less appealing to teenagers, causing them to seek out other, potentially more dangerous platforms.
I think a better approach would be to have moderate content filtering and to teach young people how to use social media safely. Schools and parents should educate children about online risks and how to protect themselves. Social media companies should also have clear guidelines and reporting systems to remove truly harmful content.
In conclusion, while protecting minors online is important, heavy censorship of social media is not the answer. A combination of education, moderate content filtering, and responsible platform management would be more effective in keeping young people safe while allowing them to benefit from social media.
(Word count: 253)
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates several qualities that place it in the Band 6-7 range:
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Clear position: The writer states their opinion clearly, disagreeing with heavy censorship.
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Relevant ideas: The essay presents relevant arguments both for and against censorship.
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Logical organization: The essay has a clear structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
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Cohesion: The essay uses some linking words and phrases to connect ideas, though not as sophisticatedly as the Band 8-9 essay.
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Vocabulary: The essay uses a reasonable range of vocabulary, though not as varied or precise as the higher band essay. For example:
- “complicated issue”
- “inappropriate material”
- “cyberbullying”
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Grammar: The essay generally uses correct grammar but lacks the range and complexity of the Band 8-9 essay.
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Task response: The essay addresses the main parts of the task, providing an opinion and supporting ideas.
Areas for improvement to reach a higher band:
- Develop ideas more fully with specific examples or deeper analysis
- Use a wider range of complex sentence structures
- Incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary and idiomatic expressions
- Improve the flow between ideas with more advanced cohesive devices
Key Vocabulary
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Censorship (noun) – /ˈsensərʃɪp/ – the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security
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Counterproductive (adjective) – /ˌkaʊntərprəˈdʌktɪv/ – having the opposite of the desired effect
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Cyberbullying (noun) – /ˈsaɪbərˌbʊliɪŋ/ – the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature
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Digital literacy (noun phrase) – /ˈdɪdʒɪtl ˈlɪtərəsi/ – the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information
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Discern (verb) – /dɪˈsɜːrn/ – to perceive or recognize (something)
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Misinformation (noun) – /ˌmɪsɪnfərˈmeɪʃn/ – false or inaccurate information, especially that which is deliberately intended to deceive
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Nuanced (adjective) – /ˈnjuːɑːnst/ – characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression
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Paramount (adjective) – /ˈpærəmaʊnt/ – more important than anything else; supreme
Conclusion
The topic of social media censorship for minors is likely to remain relevant in future IELTS exams. To prepare, practice writing essays on related topics such as:
- The impact of social media on youth mental health
- Parental control vs. government regulation of minors’ internet use
- The role of schools in teaching digital literacy
Remember to always analyze the question carefully, plan your essay structure, and support your arguments with clear reasoning and examples. Feel free to practice by writing your own essay on this topic and sharing it in the comments section for feedback and discussion.