This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of kids and technology from the real IELTS exam.
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Dave
IELTS Essay: Neighbors
New technologies have changed the way children spend their free time.
Do you think the advantages of this trend outweigh the disadvantages?
There is little doubt that technological advances have greatly altered the free time activities of children around the world. In my opinion, this is a decidedly negative phenomenon since the far-reaching effects of technology on the human psyche are still largely unknown.
Proponents of children using technology contend that it can be used for a variety of purposes. This applies not only to traditional usages such as sending emails, doing research online, and watching educational videos but also burgeoning innovations like artificial intelligence. The recent emerge of applications like ChatGPT now enable all individuals, children included, the opportunity to make their lives more efficient, productive, and enjoyable. If children are taught responsible usage habits, then they can take advantage of the many benefits and become more well-rounded learners and future members of society.
However, the psychological ramifications of habits centered around technology are potentially severe. Humans have not evolved the ability to properly interact with a digital world and children are especially vulnerable. A child who becomes addicted to a social media application such as TikTok might be less physically active and start to see the world through a virtual perspective. This can lead to the development of mild mental conditions related to anxiety and self-esteem, or more extreme ones related to disassociation and depression. The evidence for this is clearly expressed in the often-cited statistics on the rising number of suicide attempts among teenagers and children since the introduction of social media platforms.
In conclusion, regardless of how technology can be used as a tool, its drawbacks in terms of general mental health make it a negative overall. Parents must therefore carefully manage their children’s screen time.
Analysis
1. There is little doubt that technological advances have greatly altered the free time activities of children around the world. 2. In my opinion, this is a decidedly negative phenomenon since the far-reaching effects of technology on the human psyche are still largely unknown.
- Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
- Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Proponents of children using technology contend that it can be used for a variety of purposes. 2. This applies not only to traditional usages such as sending emails, doing research online, and watching educational videos but also burgeoning innovations like artificial intelligence. 3. The recent emergence of applications like ChatGPT now enable all individuals, children included, the opportunity to make their lives more efficient, productive, and enjoyable. 4. If children are taught responsible usage habits, then they can take advantage of the many benefits and become more well-rounded learners and future members of society.
- 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, the psychological ramifications of habits centered around technology are potentially severe. 2. Humans have not evolved the ability to properly interact with a digital world and children are especially vulnerable. 3. A child who becomes addicted to a social media application such as TikTok might be less physically active and start to see the world through a virtual perspective. 4. This can lead to the development of mild mental conditions related to anxiety and self-esteem, or more extreme ones related to disassociation and depression. 5. The evidence for this is clearly expressed in the often-cited statistics on the rising number of suicide attempts among teenagers and children since the introduction of social media platforms.
- 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.
- Keep adding in the result to develop your ideas more.
1. In conclusion, regardless of how technology can be used as a tool, its drawbacks in terms of general mental health make it a negative overall. 2. Parents must therefore carefully manage their children’s screen time.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
There is little doubt that technological advances have greatly altered the free time activities of children around the world. In my opinion, this is a decidedly negative phenomenon since the far-reaching effects of technology on the human psyche are still largely unknown.
Proponents of children using technology contend that it can be used for a variety of purposes. This applies not only to traditional usages such as sending emails, doing research online, and watching educational videos but also burgeoning innovations like artificial intelligence. The recent emergence of applications like ChatGPT now enable all individuals, children included, the opportunity to make their lives more efficient, productive, and enjoyable. If children are taught responsible usage habits, then they can take advantage of the many benefits and become more well-rounded learners and future members of society.
However, the psychological ramifications of habits centered around technology are potentially severe. Humans have not evolved the ability to properly interact with a digital world and children are especially vulnerable. A child who becomes addicted to a social media application such as TikTok might be less physically active and start to see the world through a virtual perspective. This can lead to the development of mild mental conditions related to anxiety and self-esteem, or more extreme ones related to disassociation and depression. The evidence for this is clearly expressed in the often-cited statistics on the rising number of suicide attempts among teenagers and children since the introduction of social media platforms.
In conclusion, regardless of how technology can be used as a tool, its drawbacks in terms of general mental health make it a negative overall. Parents must therefore carefully manage their children’s screen time.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
There is little doubt that technological advances it is true that technology/computers
greatly altered changed a lot
around the world globally
decidedly negative phenomenon since definitely bad thing starting
far-reaching effects of technology on the human psyche are still largely unknown the impact of tech on the mind is still unclear
Proponents of people in favor of
contend argue
a variety of purposes many different uses
applies not only to traditional usages is true not just to old ways of using it
burgeoning innovations new things
artificial intelligence computers that are smart
The recent emergence of applications like ChatGPT release of programs like a chatbot
enable allow for
opportunity chance
efficient working well
productive getting lots of work done
enjoyable fun
taught responsible usage habits learn to use technology well
take advantage of exploit
well-rounded learners good overall students
future members of society people who fit into the world later
psychological ramifications of effects on the mind
centered around concerning
potentially severe possibly strong
evolved changed over time
properly interact use responsibly
digital world online life
vulnerable weak concerning
addicted can’t stop using it
less physically active not going outside as much
see the world through a virtual perspective embrace the online world
lead to causes
mild mental conditions related to anxiety and self-esteem small mental issues concerning being nervous and insecurity
more extreme ones related to disassociation and depression radical ones having to do with unreality and feeling sad
evidence what supports it
clearly expressed definitely showed
often-cited statistics on research mentioned a lot
rising number of suicide attempts more and more people killing themselves
since the introduction of social media platforms after social media has come out
regardless of nonetheless
tool useful thing
drawbacks in terms of general mental health downsides concerning emotions and thinking
negative overall bad in general
therefore carefully manage thus watch closely
screen time how much time on devices
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
T______________________________________________________s have g____________d the free time activities of children a________________d. In my opinion, this is a d_____________________________________________e the f______________________________________________________________________________________n.
P__________________f children using technology c__________d that it can be used for a________________s. This a______________________________________s such as sending emails, doing research online, and watching educational videos but also b______________________s like a____________________e. T_______________________________________T now e__________e all individuals, children included, the o_____________y to make their lives more e__________t, p_________e, and e_________e. If children are t___________________________________s, then they can t____________________________f the many benefits and become more w______________________________s and f_______________________y.
However, the p_______________________________f habits c___________________d technology are p______________________e. Humans have not e_________d the ability to p_______________t with a d_____________d and children are especially v____________e. A child who becomes a__________d to a social media application such as TikTok might be l___________________e and start to s______________________________e. This can l___________o the development of m____________________________________________________m, or m________________________________________________n. The e_______________e for this is c_______________d in the o____________________n the r_______________________________s among teenagers and children s__________________________________________s.
In conclusion, r__________________f how technology can be used as a t_____l, its d_____________s i_________________________h make it a n_________________l. Parents must t_______________________e their children’s s_____________e.
Pronunciation
ðeər ɪz ˈlɪtl daʊt ðæt ˌtɛknəˈlɒʤɪkᵊl ədˈvɑːnsɪz
ˈɡreɪtli ˈɔːltəd
əˈraʊnd ðə wɜːld
dɪˈsaɪdɪdli ˈnɛɡətɪv fɪˈnɒmɪnən sɪns
ˈfɑːˈriːʧɪŋ ɪˈfɛkts ɒv tɛkˈnɒləʤi ɒn ðə ˈhjuːmən ˈsaɪki ɑː stɪl ˈlɑːʤli ʌnˈnəʊn
prəˈpəʊnənts ɒv
kənˈtɛnd
ə vəˈraɪəti ɒv ˈpɜːpəsɪz
əˈplaɪz nɒt ˈəʊnli tuː trəˈdɪʃənl ˈjuːzɪʤɪz
ˈbɜːʤənɪŋ ˌɪnəʊˈveɪʃᵊnz
ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃᵊl ɪnˈtɛlɪʤəns
ðə ˈriːsnt ɪˈmɜːʤ ɒv ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃᵊnz laɪk ʧæt ʤiː-piː-tiː
ɪˈneɪbᵊl
ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪti
ɪˈfɪʃənt
prəˈdʌktɪv
ɪnˈʤɔɪəbᵊl
tɔːt rɪsˈpɒnsəbᵊl ˈjuːzɪʤ ˈhæbɪts
teɪk ədˈvɑːntɪʤ ɒv
wɛl-ˈraʊndɪd ˈlɜːnəz
ˈfjuːʧə ˈmɛmbəz ɒv səˈsaɪəti
ˌsaɪkəˈlɒʤɪkəl ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃᵊnz ɒv
ˈsɛntəd əˈraʊnd
pəʊˈtɛnʃəli sɪˈvɪə
ɪˈvɒlvd
ˈprɒpəli ˌɪntərˈækt
ˈdɪʤɪtl wɜːld
ˈvʌlnərəbᵊl
əˈdɪktɪd
lɛs ˈfɪzɪkəli ˈæktɪv
siː ðə wɜːld θruː ə ˈvɜːtjʊəl pəˈspɛktɪv
liːd tuː
maɪld ˈmɛntl kənˈdɪʃᵊnz rɪˈleɪtɪd tuː æŋˈzaɪəti ænd sɛlf-ɪsˈtiːm
mɔːr ɪksˈtriːm wʌnz rɪˈleɪtɪd tuː dɪs əˌsəʊsɪˈeɪʃᵊn ænd dɪˈprɛʃᵊn
ˈɛvɪdəns
ˈklɪəli ɪksˈprɛst
ˈɒfᵊn-ˈsaɪtɪd stəˈtɪstɪks ɒn
ˈraɪzɪŋ ˈnʌmbər ɒv ˈsjʊɪsaɪd əˈtɛmpts
sɪns ði ˌɪntrəˈdʌkʃᵊn ɒv ˈsəʊʃəl ˈmiːdiə ˈplætfɔːmz.
rɪˈɡɑːdlɪs ɒv
tuːl
ˈdrɔːbæks ɪn tɜːmz ɒv ˈʤɛnərəl ˈmɛntl hɛlθ
ˈnɛɡətɪv ˈəʊvərɔːl
ˈðeəfɔː ˈkeəfli ˈmænɪʤ
skriːn taɪm.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTi4v3HveqE
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
Speaking Practice
Mobile Phones and Smartphones
- What are the advantages of smartphones?
- Should children be allowed to own smartphones?
- Do you thinks have a major or minor impact on mental health?
- Where in your country is it not appropriate to use a phone?
- Do you think smartphone usage may decline in the future?
Writing Practice
Some children spend hours every day on their smartphones.
Why is this the case?
Do you think this is a positive or a negative development?
It is true that, nowadays some of the new technologies have replaced the way children waste their leisure time. In my opinion, there are several disadvantages rather than advantages, because in our generation we have more important things such as family or friends.
On the one hand, these days children spend their leisure time with their gadgets. Firstly, many children interested in new technologies and all of their free time spend for this and this is also helps to develop their skills in this sphere. For example, many children do not even know how use phone and if they learn earlier they will not have difficulty with new technologies. Secondly, it also helps to looking for a good job as well, because in the future technology become common requirement. For instance, in the future planned robotize everything that surround us and decrease manual activities.
On the other hand, technologies also have some negative impacts like family value. Furthermore, family more important thing I our life and most of time children should spend time with their parents without any technologies, and they must appreciate and respect them. The second reason is that spend time with friends and enjoy with playing different kind of games with them. To illustrate, spending time with friends preserve unforgettable emotions and memories which cannot replace new technologies.
In conclusion, I believe that parents and relationship with friends more important rather than some new technologies and so on.
It is true that, nowadays some of the new technologies have replaced the way children waste their leisure time. In my opinion, there are several disadvantages rather than advantages, because in our generation we have more important things such as family or friends.
On the one hand, these days children spend their leisure time with their gadgets. Firstly, many children interested in new technologies and all of their free time spend for this and this is also helps to develop their skills in this sphere. For example, many children do not even know how use phone and if they learn earlier they will not have difficulty with new technologies. Secondly, it also helps to looking for a good job as well, because in the future technology become common requirement. For instance, in the future planned robotize everything that surround us and decrease manual activities.
On the other hand, technologies also have some negative impacts like family value. Furthermore, family more important thing I our life and most of time children should spend time with their parents without any technologies, and they must appreciate and respect them. The second reason is that spend time with friends and enjoy with playing different kind of games with them. To illustrate, spending time with friends preserve unforgettable emotions and memories which cannot replace new technologies.
In conclusion, I believe that parents and relationship with friends more important rather than some new technologies and so on.
Children have different hobbies these days due to technological advancement. in my opinion the benefits of new technology including new way for learning and easier connection with others outweigh it’s drawbacks.
the opponent of using new technology often concern about its impact on children’s health condition. there are some evidences that show children spend a significant amount of time in social media or play video games. lots of these individuals lead completely different lifestyle (mostly sedentary Life style) which its effects in the long run is not known completely. it is predicted that systemic diseases like hyper blood pressure or hyperglycemia will be more common in this group as a consequence of this lifestyle.
on the other hand, proponent of new technology for children believe that it can create new chances in different domains. firstly e-learning (which is based on new technology) can give equivalent opportunity for education in different parts of the world especially in developing countries. a few years ago it was a dream for a kid in Afghanistan to learn new language but nowadays with a laptop or even a cell phone he/ she can access to huge amount of data regarding language learning. secondly, new technology offer a good way for communication. children can broaden their horizons by talking with successful people and can adapt themselves quicker and easier with changing world.
to sum up, new technology usually occupy children’s time. despite some challenges, it can offer a good chance for learning and communication. if parents guide their kids to use it properly, it will make more competent people for the future.