Social Media Benefits and Problems — Band 7 Model Answer

Since the emergence of platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter)Examiner noteSpecific examples that demonstrate awareness of the actual landscape — Band 7 Task Achievement detail., social media has reshaped personal communication, news consumption and political discourse. I believe the benefits broadly outweigh the problems, though the harms require serious attention.

Social media's primary advantages lie in democratising access to information and public voiceExaminer notePrecise verb "democratising" — more sophisticated than "giving everyone access". Band 7 LR. . Individuals and organisations that lacked platforms in the era of centralised broadcast media can now reach global audiences. During disasters and public health emergencies, social media has proved invaluable for coordinating aid and disseminating critical informationExaminer noteProven + useful collocation — accurate and Band 7-appropriate. rapidly.

However, the same features that make social media powerful also generate its most serious harms.Examiner noteTopic sentence that pivots using a logical connector — effective Band 7 coherence. Algorithmic amplification of emotionally charged content accelerates the spread of misinformation and political polarisation. Mental health researchers have linked heavy social media use among adolescents to increased rates of anxiety and depressionExaminer notePassive reporting structure — hedged and academic, appropriate at Band 7. , particularly among girls.

In conclusion, social media's benefits — enhanced communication, information access and civic participation — are real and valuable. The harms, however, are sufficiently serious that platform regulation, digital literacy education and age-appropriate usage guidelines are necessary complements to continued use.