Some TV Programs and Violent Video Games are Harmful for Children- IELTS Writing Task 2

Some TV programs and violent video games are harmful for children. How harmful are they? What can be done to solve these problems?

Outline

Essay Type

Direct question essay

Introduction

State your opinion clearly. Explain in brief what you are going to write in the body of your essay.

It is an undeniable fact that violent television shows and movies harm youngsters.

Body paragraphs

Paragraph 1: Discuss how TV programs and video games are harmful.

Paragraph 2: Parents can teach their children how to use smart media to make technology a healthy part of their lives.

Conclusion

Restate your opinion in clear and direct sentences.

Sample Essay

It is widely known that unethical television shows, violent cartoons, and games are now widely outspread on television and the Internet. It is an undeniable fact that violent television shows and movies harm youngsters. This article examines the degree of harm these programs produce and proposes countermeasures to combat this threat.

Most children nowadays are linked to technologies such as televisions, video game consoles, tablets, and cellphones well before they can ride a bike. According to studies, children who spend more than 4 hours a day watching TV or utilizing media are more likely to be overweight. Moreover, children who watch violent video games are more prone to act aggressively and think that the world is dangerous and that something awful will happen to them. Further, characters on television and in video games frequently engage in risky activities like drinking alcohol, using drugs, smoking cigarettes, and having sex at a young age. They are depicted as trendy, entertaining, and exciting on television and in video games. Consequently, kids and teenagers could be enticed to attempt these activities, leading to drug misuse issues. Additionally, studies suggest that kids who view sexual content are more likely to initiate sexual behaviour at a young age.

However, technology is part of life. Parents can teach their children how to use smart media to make technology a healthy part of their lives. Preschoolers may use public television to learn the alphabet, grade students can use educational applications and games, and teenagers can conduct research online. Sometimes, young children may not comprehend that ads are intended to promote a product, and they frequently confuse their show with the commercial. So, they might have to be informed of the advertising’s aim. Apart from that, one can turn off the TV or restrict how much time the children spend watching pop-up adverts with pressure to buy, which is prevalent in video games. Finally, when children beg for the latest must-haves, it has to be explained that advertisements are meant to make people want items they don’t need.

Overall, as technology is becoming more integrated into everyone’s daily lives, children will be exposed to potentially hazardous information in one way or another. Because children are still growing and are unaware of the adverse implications of their actions, it is the role of parents to provide adequate guidance and impose limits when necessary.

Vocabulary

• Countermeasures 

Meaning: (noun) an action taken to counteract a danger or threat.
Eg: The army general is expected to come up with an effective countermeasure.

• Combat 

Meaning: (verb) take action to reduce or prevent (something bad or undesirable).
Eg: The government must combat e-waste.

• Prone

Meaning: (adj) likely or liable to suffer from, do, or experience something unpleasant or regrettable.
Eg: Arzoo was prone to depression even as a teenager.

• Engage

Meaning: (verb) participate or become involved in.
Eg: Kids frequently engage in trivial fights.

• Enticed 

Meaning: (verb) attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage.
Eg: Jack was enticed to buy a Gucci watch.

• Prevalent

Meaning: (adj) widespread in a particular area or at a particular time.
Eg: This belief is more prevalent among men than women.

• Integrated

Meaning: (adj) with various parts or aspects linked or coordinated.
Eg: Extracurricular activities are now integrated into the high school curriculum.

• Potentially

Meaning: (adverb) with the capacity to develop or happen in the future.
Eg: Hepatitis is a potentially fatal disease.

• Implications 

Meaning: (noun) the conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated.
Eg: The implications of Jaya’s actions are frightening.

• Adequate 

Meaning: (adjective) satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity.
Eg: Hina took adequate food for lunch.