Plan this problem and solution essay about technology with the ideas and outline below, write it on a 40-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Many children have unrestricted access to the internet and may see harmful content or contact strangers.
What problems does this cause? What measures could be taken to solve it?
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.
GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.
Pick two or three points from one or both columns. You do not need all of them, and your own examples score better than memorised ones.
Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.
0 words of 250 minimum
Your answer stays on this page only. Copy it before you leave.
Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.
Many children now browse the internet with little supervision, which exposes them to harmful material and to strangers with bad intentions. This essay will outline the main problems and suggest practical solutions.
The first problem is exposure to unsuitable content. A child who searches innocently for a video may be shown violence, pornography or extreme diets, and such images can cause fear, confusion or unhealthy ideas about body image. The second is contact with strangers. Online predators often pretend to be young people in order to win a child's trust, and in the worst cases this leads to blackmail or abuse. Even without criminals, excessive unsupervised use can lead to bullying in chat groups, which damages confidence and school performance.
There are several ways to address these dangers. Parents have the greatest influence, and they can install filtering software, set time limits and keep computers in shared rooms rather than bedrooms. More important than technology, however, is an open relationship in which children feel able to say when something upsets them without fear of punishment. Schools can support this by teaching digital literacy from an early age, explaining how to spot fake profiles and why personal details should never be shared. Finally, technology companies and governments must play their part. Platforms could be required to verify ages and to remove harmful material quickly, with substantial fines if they fail. The United Kingdom's online safety legislation is one attempt to do exactly this.
In conclusion, unrestricted internet access puts children at risk of harmful content and dangerous contact. A combination of parental involvement, education in schools and stronger regulation of online companies would greatly reduce these risks.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| parental controls | tools limiting what children see |
| inappropriate content | unsuitable material |
| online predator | person who targets children online |
| age verification | proving age |
| internet safety | staying safe online |
| cyber awareness | knowing online risks |
Answer random Part 1, 2 and 3 questions on an exam timer.
Average your four skill bands, rounded the way IELTS rounds them.
Compare an IELTS band with TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE scores and CEFR levels.
Look up the IELTS score a university asks for, with the source.