Many people around the world use social media every day to keep in touch with other people and get news events. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Social
media
has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of
people
around the world using
such
platforms to stay connected with others and updated on current events.
While
social
media
undoubtedly offers numerous
advantages
in terms of connectivity and information dissemination,
this
essay argues that the risks it carries are more significant. On the positive side, social
media
has revolutionized how we communicate and connect with others. Services
such
as Facebook and WhatsApp allow us to easily keep in touch with friends and family, regardless of geographic distance. These applications have
also
facilitated the formation of online communities, enabling
people
with shared interests or experiences to connect and support one another in a more convenient manner than in the past. Regarding
news
updates, social
media
has become a powerful tool for sharing information in
real-time
Correct your spelling
real time
show examples
, unlike traditional
news
sources like newspapers or television. By way of illustration, X, formerly called Twitter, has a section displaying trending topics, allowing
people
to stay informed and engaged with current affairs as they unfold.
Nonetheless
, these
advantages
are minor compared to the concerning drawbacks of social
media
. One major threat is the potential for social
media
usage to negatively impact mental health, particularly among younger users. Communication on social channels often involves being exposed to curated representations of others' lives, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Another issue to consider is that social
media
has been implicated in the spread of misinformation, online harassment, cyberbullying, and privacy concerns, posing risks to individuals' well-being, safety, and trust in credible information sources.
This
is exemplified by the numerous
news
stories about
people
engaging in antisocial
behaviors
Change the spelling
behaviours
show examples
after being influenced by fake
news
on social networks. In conclusion,
while
social
media
offers
advantages
in socializing and receiving
news
, its disadvantages, including negative impacts on mental health, the spread of misinformation, online harassment, and privacy concerns, are substantial. Given these concerns, I believe that the disadvantages of social
media
usage ultimately overshadow its
advantages
.
Submitted by ntl250605 on

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coherence cohesion
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coherence cohesion
The essay presents a clear introduction and conclusion, which helps to frame the argument effectively.
coherence cohesion
Main points are well-supported with coherent arguments, which enhances the overall persuasiveness of the essay.
task achievement
The response is complete and addresses both the advantages and disadvantages of social media, providing a balanced view.

Answer the 'Advantages and Disadvantages' topic

IELTS advantages and disadvantages questions normally give you a statement and ask you to comment on the advantages and disadvantages of that statement.

Answer structure for the type of essay

  • Introduction
  • Body paragraph 1 – advantages
  • Body paragraph 2 – disadvantages
  • Conclusion

Examples to start your body paragraph:

  • The main advantage is...
  • The disadvantage of this...
  • The main benefit...
  • Despite these advantages...
  • One possible drawback...

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Topic Vocabulary:
  • facilitate
  • geographically separated
  • fostering
  • connectivity
  • instant communication
  • real-time information
  • misinformation
  • rigorous checks and balances
  • fake news
  • addictive nature
  • detract
  • face-to-face interactions
  • mental health
  • awareness of limitations
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