IELTS Essay: Attention Spans
Many today feel that attention spans are becoming shorter due to the prevalence of social media.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Some today have argued that individuals now possess generally shorter attention spans largely as a result of the growth of various social media platforms. In my opinion, though this claim might be slightly overstated, it is true on the whole.
Those who argue that shorter attention spans are not due to social media point out the influence of other new forms of media and technology. The length of a person’s attention span was never a topic of consideration for debate before the onset of the digital age and the development of television, radio, the internet, and so on. The stimulation from these technologies represents unprecedented challenges for humans who have not evolved to live in a digital world. Although modern kinds of media lead to over-stimulation and an addictive craving for more, constant stimulation, social media is merely one distraction among many.
However, social media is the greatest single cause of declining attention spans due to their unique design features. Social media companies have specifically crafted their applications to provide momentary bursts of pleasure. For instance, an application like TikTok is specifically designed to provide a stream of addictive videos under 10 seconds in length. As their algorithm perfects a curated feed for any given user, individuals easily become hooked on short entertainment and their attention spans concomitantly suffer. This is in marked contrast to the focus required to watch a film or listen to a radio broadcast.
In conclusion, I agree social media has caused the average person to struggle with concentration for extended periods due to the manner in which these websites have been constructed. Governments should therefore regulate them in order to mitigate the harms they cause for society as a whole.
Analysis
1. Some today have argued that individuals now possess generally shorter attention spans largely as a result of the growth of various social media platforms. 2. In my opinion, though this claim might be slightly overstated, it is true on the whole.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those who argue that shorter attention spans are not due to social media point out the influence of other new forms of media and technology. 2. The length of a person’s attention span was never a topic of consideration for debate before the onset of the digital age and the development of television, radio, the internet, and so on. 3. The stimulation from these technologies represents unprecedented challenges for humans who have not evolved to live in a digital world. 4. Although modern kinds of media lead to over-stimulation and an addictive craving for more, constant stimulation, social media is merely one distraction among many.
- Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
- Keep developing it fully.
1. However, social media is the greatest single cause of declining attention spans due to their unique design features. 2. Social media companies have specifically crafted their applications to provide momentary bursts of pleasure. 3. For instance, an application like TikTok is specifically designed to provide a stream of addictive videos under 10 seconds in length. 4. As their algorithm perfects a curated feed for any given user, individuals easily become hooked on short entertainment and their attention spans concomitantly suffer. 5. This is in marked contrast to the focus required to watch a film or listen to a radio broadcast.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- Finish the paragraph strong.
1. In conclusion, I agree social media has caused the average person to struggle with concentration for extended periods due to the manner in which these websites have been constructed. 2. Governments should therefore regulate them in order to mitigate the harms they cause for society as a whole.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
Some today have argued that individuals now possess generally shorter attention spans largely as a result of the growth of various social media platforms. In my opinion, though this claim might be slightly overstated, it is true on the whole.
Those who argue that shorter attention spans are not due to social media point out the influence of other new forms of media and technology. The length of a person’s attention span was never a topic of consideration for debate before the onset of the digital age and the development of television, radio, the internet, and so on. The stimulation from these technologies represents unprecedented challenges for humans who have not evolved to live in a digital world. Although modern kinds of media lead to over-stimulation and an addictive craving for more, constant stimulation, social media is merely one distraction among many.
However, social media is the greatest single cause of declining attention spans due to their unique design features. Social media companies have specifically crafted their applications to provide momentary bursts of pleasure. For instance, an application like TikTok is specifically designed to provide a stream of addictive videos under 10 seconds in length. As their algorithm perfects a curated feed for any given user, individuals easily become hooked on short entertainment and their attention spans concomitantly suffer. This is in marked contrast to the focus required to watch a film or listen to a radio broadcast.
In conclusion, I agree social media has caused the average person to struggle with concentration for extended periods due to the manner in which these websites have been constructed. Governments should therefore regulate them in order to mitigate the harms they cause for society as a whole.
Answers
possess have
generally shorter attention spans overall can’t focus for as long on one thing
largely as a result of mostly because of
growth of various social media platforms development of sites like Facebook, Instagram, etc.
claim state
slightly overstated a bit too strong
true on the whole correct overall
point out argue
influence impact
new forms of media and technology different kinds of sites and products
length how long it is
topic of consideration for debate before thing people argued about earlier
onset beginning of
the digital age computers, online, etc.
and so on etc.
stimulation watching things, having your attention held by something
represents unprecedented challenges poses new problems
evolved to live in a digital world adapted to online life
over-stimulation too much too watch, listen to, etc.
addictive craving for can’t stop using something
constant keeps happening
merely one distraction among many just one thing to focus on next to others
greatest single cause of declining one biggest source
unique design features special aspects of the apps
specifically crafted their applications to made their problems to
provide momentary bursts of pleasure give temporary feelings of happiness
application something on your phone, a program
specifically for this particular purpose
stream of addictive videos lots of videos in a row
in length how long they are
algorithm perfects a curated feed for any given user program that chooses the videos you will watch next on an app or a website
hooked on addicted to
concomitantly suffer as a result hurts
This is in marked contrast to totally different compared to
focus required attention needed
broadcast sent out
the average person normal citizen
struggle with concentration for extended periods due to have difficulty focusing
manner in which way that it happens
constructed built
regulate makes laws to control
mitigate lesson
harms downsides
society as a whole all of society
Pronunciation
Vocabulary Practice
Some today have argued that individuals now p____________s g________________________________s l_______________________f the g_________________________________s. In my opinion, though this c___m might be s_____________________d, it is t__________________e.
Those who argue that shorter attention spans are not due to social media p____________t the i________e of other n______________________________y. The l_______h of a person’s attention span was never a t_______________________________________e the o______t of t______________e and the development of television, radio, the internet, a___________n. The s__________________________n from these technologies r_______________________________s for humans who have not e_____________________________d. Although modern kinds of media lead to o______________n and an a________________________r more, c________t stimulation, social media is m_________________________________y.
However, social media is the g_________________________________g attention spans due to their u_________________________________s. Social media companies have s______________________________________o p__________________________________________e. For instance, an a_________n like TikTok is s_____________y designed to provide a s____________________________s under 10 seconds i___________h. As their a_________________________________________________________________r, individuals easily become h____________n short entertainment and their attention spans c__________________r. T_______________________________o the f______________________d to watch a film or listen to a radio b____________t.
In conclusion, I agree social media has caused t_________________________n to s_________________________________________________________________o the m______________________h these websites have been c______________d. Governments should therefore r____________e them in order to m____________e the h________s they cause for s_______________________e.
Listening Practice
Reading Practice
https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/11/health/short-attention-span-wellness/index.html
Speaking Practice
Notes
- Do you often write down notes?
- Do you make a lot of lists on your phone?
- When do you usually make notes?
- Is it common in your country for people to write notes?
Writing Practice
Some people think that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
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