Social media’s influence on young people’s mental well-being has become a pressing concern in recent years. This topic frequently appears in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays, reflecting its relevance in contemporary society. Based on past exam trends and the increasing prevalence of social media in our daily lives, we can expect this theme to continue featuring prominently in future IELTS tests. Let’s explore a sample question and analyze how to craft compelling essays across different band scores.

Social Media Impact on Youth Mental Health

Analyzing the Question

Let’s consider the following IELTS Writing Task 2 question:

Some people believe that social media has a negative impact on young people’s mental health, while others think it can be beneficial. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

This question requires candidates to:

1. Discuss the negative impacts of social media on youth mental health
2. Explore the potential benefits of social media for young people’s mental well-being
3. Provide a personal opinion on the topic

Now, let’s examine sample essays for different band scores, starting with a high-band response.

Band 8-9 Essay Sample

In the digital age, social media has become an integral part of young people’s lives, sparking debates about its impact on mental health. While some argue that these platforms have detrimental effects on youth well-being, others contend that they offer valuable benefits. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting my own viewpoint.

Critics of social media often point to its potential negative consequences on young people’s mental health. One primary concern is the constant comparison fostered by platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where users frequently encounter carefully curated images of their peers’ lives. This incessant exposure to others’ highlight reels can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and even depression among vulnerable youth. Moreover, the addictive nature of social media, with its endless scrolling and notifications, can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to anxiety disorders.

On the other hand, proponents argue that social media can have positive effects on mental well-being when used judiciously. These platforms provide unprecedented opportunities for connection and support, allowing young people to find like-minded individuals and communities that share their interests or experiences. For those struggling with mental health issues, online support groups can offer a sense of belonging and understanding. Additionally, social media can be a powerful tool for raising awareness about mental health, reducing stigma, and promoting access to resources and information.

In my opinion, the impact of social media on youth mental health is largely dependent on how it is used. While excessive or uncontrolled use can indeed lead to negative outcomes, mindful and purposeful engagement can yield significant benefits. I believe that education plays a crucial role in mitigating the potential harm of social media. By teaching young people digital literacy skills, promoting healthy online habits, and encouraging critical thinking about the content they consume, we can help them navigate the digital landscape more safely and beneficially.

In conclusion, social media’s influence on youth mental health is complex and multifaceted. While it poses certain risks, it also offers valuable opportunities for connection and support. The key lies in fostering responsible use and equipping young people with the skills to harness the positive aspects of these platforms while minimizing their potential drawbacks.

(Word count: 347)

Analysis of Band 8-9 Essay

This essay demonstrates excellence across all four marking criteria:

1. Task Response: The essay fully addresses all parts of the task, presenting a well-developed response with relevant, extended, and supported ideas.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is cohesive with clear progression throughout. It uses a range of cohesive devices and paragraphing effectively.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is sophisticated with natural and precise usage. For example, “carefully curated images,” “incessant exposure,” and “mitigating the potential harm.”

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a wide range of structures with full flexibility and accuracy. Complex sentences are used effectively, such as “While excessive or uncontrolled use can indeed lead to negative outcomes, mindful and purposeful engagement can yield significant benefits.”

Band 6-7 Essay Sample

Social media has become very popular among young people today. Some people think it is bad for their mental health, while others believe it can be good. This essay will discuss both views and give my opinion.

There are several reasons why social media might be harmful to young people’s mental health. Firstly, it can make them feel bad about themselves when they see other people’s perfect lives online. This might lower their self-esteem. Secondly, spending too much time on social media can be addictive and take time away from real-life activities and relationships. This could lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

However, social media can also have some positive effects on mental health. It allows young people to connect with friends and family easily, which can provide emotional support. Also, social media platforms can be used to share information about mental health issues and resources, helping to reduce stigma and increase awareness.

In my opinion, social media can be both good and bad for mental health, depending on how it is used. If young people use it in moderation and are aware of its potential negative effects, it can be a useful tool for communication and support. However, if they become too dependent on it or let it affect their self-esteem, it can be harmful.

To conclude, social media has both positive and negative impacts on youth mental health. It is important for young people to be educated about using social media responsibly and to find a balance between online and offline activities.

(Word count: 269)

Analysis of Band 6-7 Essay

This essay demonstrates good control of language but lacks some of the sophistication of the higher band essay:

1. Task Response: The essay addresses all parts of the task, but some points could be more fully developed.

2. Coherence and Cohesion: The essay is generally well-organized with clear progression, but the use of cohesive devices is less sophisticated than in the Band 8-9 essay.

3. Lexical Resource: The vocabulary is appropriate and adequate, but lacks the precision and sophistication of higher bands. For example, “bad” and “good” are used instead of more nuanced terms.

4. Grammatical Range and Accuracy: The essay uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures with generally good control, but lacks the full flexibility of the higher band essay.

Key Vocabulary to Remember

1. Mental well-being (noun) – /ˈmentl ˈwel-ˈbēiNG/ – the state of mental health and overall psychological state
2. Detrimental (adjective) – /ˌdetrəˈmen(t)l/ – causing harm or damage
3. Incessant (adjective) – /inˈses(ə)nt/ – continuing without pause or interruption
4. Inadequacy (noun) – /inˈadikwəsē/ – the state or quality of being inadequate; lack of the quantity or quality required
5. Judiciously (adverb) – /jo͞oˈdiSHəslē/ – with good judgment or sense
6. Mitigating (verb) – /ˈmidəˌɡādiNG/ – making less severe, serious, or painful
7. Multifaceted (adjective) – /ˌməltēˈfasədəd/ – having many different aspects or features
8. Stigma (noun) – /ˈstiɡmə/ – a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality, or person
9. Digital literacy (noun) – /ˈdijidl ˈlidərəsē/ – the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information
10. Purposeful (adjective) – /ˈpərpəsfəl/ – having or showing determination or resolve

Conclusion

The topic of social media’s impact on youth mental health is likely to remain relevant in IELTS Writing Task 2 essays. To prepare effectively, practice writing essays on related themes such as:

1. The role of parents in monitoring children’s social media use
2. Government regulations on social media platforms to protect young users
3. The impact of social media on face-to-face communication skills
4. The influence of social media influencers on youth behavior and mental health
5. Strategies for promoting positive social media habits among young people

Remember, the key to success in IELTS Writing Task 2 is to address all parts of the question, organize your ideas coherently, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and support your arguments with relevant examples. Practice writing essays on this topic and share them in the comments section below for feedback and further improvement.