Plan this problem and solution essay about media 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 people share a great deal of personal information on social media, which can put them at risk.
What problems does this cause and what solutions can you suggest?
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 users post details of their homes, holidays, workplaces and feelings on social media without thinking about who may see them. This essay will outline the problems this causes and then propose some solutions.
One cause is the desire for approval. Likes and comments feel rewarding, so people share more and more, often without considering the consequences. Many also do not understand privacy settings, and platforms deliberately make sharing the easy default. The risks are serious. Criminals can use holiday photos to learn when a house is empty, or collect names and birthdays to commit identity theft. Employers sometimes check candidates' profiles, and an unwise post from years ago can cost someone a job. Young people may also be exposed to bullying or contact from strangers, and once information is online it is almost impossible to remove completely, even if the original post is deleted.
There are several ways to address the issue. Firstly, schools and parents should teach safe habits from an early age, such as using private accounts, accepting only people they know and thinking before posting anything personal. Secondly, governments can pass stricter data protection laws like the European Union's GDPR, which require companies to explain clearly what information they collect and allow users to delete it. Finally, apps should be required to collect only the minimum data they need and to set the most private options by default, so that people must choose to share rather than choose to hide.
In conclusion, oversharing exposes people to crime, embarrassment and loss of control over their information. Education, firm legislation and responsible design by technology companies together can make social media considerably safer.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| oversharing | telling too much personal information |
| privacy settings | controls over who sees your posts |
| digital footprint | trace left by online activity |
| identity theft | fraudulent use of someone's identity |
| data protection | rules for keeping personal data safe |
| seek validation | look for approval |
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