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?

 WRITING TASK 2 You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic:

​​​​Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

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?

Sample answer 1:

There is no doubt that digitalization has transformed how people spend their time, and children are no exception to this trend. The increasing popularity of smartphones means many children now spend hours each day playing mobile games, chatting, or scrolling through social media. This essay will explore the causes of this phenomenon and argue why it represents a predominantly negative development for society.

One major reason children are drawn to smartphones is the abundance of engaging, child-focused content. Streaming platforms, influencers, and game developers continually compete for users’ attention by producing captivating and addictive material. Children, being naturally impressionable and lacking developed critical thinking skills, are particularly susceptible. Moreover, many parents unwittingly encourage this behavior by using smartphones as a convenient tool to keep their children occupied, enabling them to attend to other responsibilities. Unfortunately, this practice may foster dependency on digital devices, which is difficult to reverse.

Although smartphones provide some benefits, such as access to educational apps and communication tools, their widespread use among children leads to several significant drawbacks. For instance, the constant exposure to short, fast-paced content diminishes children’s ability to concentrate on tasks requiring sustained focus, such as homework. This trend has contributed to what some experts describe as an "attention crisis," with rising cases of attention deficit disorders among young people. Furthermore, excessive screen time can make real-life interactions seem less appealing. As teenagers retreat into their digital worlds, they may miss opportunities to develop essential social skills, potentially leading to feelings of isolation and, in severe cases, depression.

In conclusion, the rise in children’s smartphone usage is driven by the availability of tailored content and parental reliance on these devices for convenience. While smartphones offer some advantages, their overuse poses serious risks to children’s cognitive and social development. Therefore, the negative consequences far outweigh the benefits, making this a worrying trend for society.

Sample answer 2:

There is no doubt that digitalization has transformed how people spend their time, and children are no exception to this trend. The increasing popularity of smartphones means many children now spend hours each day playing mobile games, chatting, or scrolling through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This essay will explore the causes of this phenomenon and argue why it represents a predominantly negative development for society.

One major reason children are drawn to smartphones is the abundance of engaging, child-focused content. Popular platforms such as TikTok and YouTube constantly produce short, fast-paced videos designed to capture attention, while games like Roblox and Minecraft offer immersive experiences that are highly addictive. Children, being naturally impressionable and still developing critical thinking skills, are particularly vulnerable to these designs. Adding to this, many parents unintentionally encourage prolonged screen time by handing their children smartphones as a distraction tool, for example, to keep them quiet during meals or while working from home. While this might seem convenient, such habits can lead to long-term dependencies and excessive reliance on digital devices.

Although smartphones provide some benefits, such as access to educational apps like Duolingo or Khan Academy, the widespread use of these devices among children has led to several significant drawbacks. For instance, studies have shown that frequent exposure to short, fast-paced content reduces children’s attention spans, making it harder for them to focus on long-term tasks like reading books or completing homework. Research by the American Psychological Association, for example, indicates that children who spend more than three hours a day on screens are 30% more likely to develop attention-related issues. Furthermore, constant screen time often makes real-life interactions seem less appealing. Teenagers may opt to spend hours chatting online rather than engaging in face-to-face conversations, which can stifle their development of essential social and communication skills. Over time, this can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness, with studies linking excessive screen use to higher rates of anxiety and depression.

In conclusion, the rise in children’s smartphone usage is driven by the availability of tailored content and parental reliance on these devices for convenience. While smartphones offer advantages such as educational resources, their overuse poses serious risks to children’s cognitive and social development. Specific examples, like the growing prevalence of attention disorders and diminished social interaction, underscore why the negative consequences far outweigh the benefits, making this a concerning trend for society.