Scorify.uzThe question
Some people think that children under 16 should not be allowed to use social media. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Write at least 250 words.
What the question asks
Decide whether a ban is the right solution. You can agree with restrictions but suggest alternatives such as supervision, as long as the position is clear.
Essay plan
- Introduction: State that you agree with limits for younger children, but a total ban is hard to enforce.
- Body 1: risks: Cyberbullying, addiction, sleep loss, exposure to unsuitable content.
- Body 2: practical issues: Children bypass rules; parental guidance and platform safety settings are more effective.
- Conclusion: Support age limits plus education and supervision.
Band 7+ sample essay
Social media has become a central part of teenage life, but many parents and experts worry about its effects on younger users. I agree that children under 16 need protection, although I believe that a combination of limits and guidance would work better than a complete ban.
There are strong reasons for concern. Young children may not understand how to protect their privacy, and they can be exposed to violent or inappropriate content. Cyberbullying can have serious effects on self-esteem, and constant notifications are addictive, leading to poor sleep and a lack of concentration at school. Because their brains are still developing, children are especially vulnerable to these pressures.
However, a total ban would be difficult to enforce. Children can easily lie about their age or use a friend's account, and a strict rule might push them to use social media secretly, without any adult knowing. Moreover, social media can have some benefits, such as keeping in touch with friends or learning new skills.
A more realistic approach is to set a minimum age for independent accounts, require platforms to verify age and offer child-safe settings, and teach children digital literacy at school and at home.
Schools can also play a valuable role. Lessons on how to recognise false information, protect personal data and respond to online bullying give children practical tools that they can use for the rest of their lives. This kind of education is more lasting than a rule that children will try to avoid whenever they can.
In conclusion, I agree that under-16s need restrictions, but supervision and education are more effective than banning social media entirely.
271 words.
Why this essay scores well
- Task Response: every part of the question is answered and the position stays consistent from the introduction to the conclusion.
- Coherence and Cohesion: each paragraph has one clear idea, linked with natural connectors rather than a list of memorised phrases.
- Lexical Resource: topic vocabulary is precise and varied, without forcing rare words.
- Grammatical Range and Accuracy: a mix of simple and complex sentences, with conditionals and relative clauses used accurately.
Useful vocabulary
- cyberbullying — bullying using digital devices
- inappropriate content — material unsuitable for children
- addictive — hard to stop using
- vulnerable — easily harmed
- digital literacy — ability to use technology safely
- verify age — check how old someone is
- enforce — make sure a rule is followed
Common mistakes on this question
- Describing social media only as bad.
- Not discussing whether the ban can work.
- Using “kids” in a formal essay; use “children”.
Study guides
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Frequently asked questions
What type of essay is this IELTS Task 2 question?
It is a opinion (agree/disagree) question. Decide whether a ban is the right solution. You can agree with restrictions but suggest alternatives such as supervision, as long as the position is clear.
How many words should the essay be?
Write at least 250 words. Most strong answers are 260–290 words, planned in about five minutes and completed in 40 minutes.
How many paragraphs should I write?
Four paragraphs work well: an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Each body paragraph needs one main idea, an explanation and an example.