Face to Face Interaction IELTS Writing Task 2

I completely agree on this point though I concede the advantages of social media for entrepreneurs. Social media has invariably proved to be a boon for people trying to start their own business. Previously if someone wanted to start a business, their avenues were rather limited, mostly to their inherited capital. Social media has now given them a huge platform to reach out to more and more people thereby increasing the size of their businesses. Apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tik Tok opens up a wide range of possibilities for content creators to communicate with their audience around the world. Justin Bieber, for instance, became a global sensation after his videos went viral on various social media platforms. YouTube has been a modest example where artists, content creators, and more can create videos, engage their audience and generate income and publicity from their loyal fan base. In Spite of the aforementioned advantages, social media has degraded the general quality of communication. The most affected ones are the youngsters. In school, children and teenagers must engage in telling jokes, or in playful banter. They must exchange their ideas on personal or political topics. Some might even distinguish themselves as great storytellers or speakers while others at least improve their communication skills. On the contrary, young people today are more comfortable communicating by texting. They find it more appealing to interact through the fleeting comments as they scroll through their various feeds. They do not receive quality feedback in return and hence develop haphazardly not knowing if their jokes or points ever really connect. By and large, social media seriously hinders communication ruining its economic expediency. Parents must take charge and limit phone usage for their children and also for themselves. They must lead their children by example to fight the rising influence of technology that humanity is not evolved enough to deal with responsibly.

In terms of benefits, social networking sites have made it much easier for us to stay in touch with our loved ones no matter where they are in the world. Students studying abroad, for example, can use Skype, Facebook, or a variety of other applications to remain in touch with their relatives and friends on a regular basis. Social media is also an effective marketing and commercial tool. Companies may keep their customers informed about new items or promotions by publishing campaigns on Facebook or Instagram in this digital era, which saves time and money when compared to old ways of advertising in newspapers or magazines. Despite the foregoing advantages, I feel that social media causes more harm than good when it comes to communication. The over use of social media degrades interpersonal interactions. Many people are so glued to social networking sites that they spend their evenings with their families staring at their devices instead of paying attention to the people around them. The usage of social media has an impact on how individuals talk and write, particularly among young people. Many kids nowadays have a propensity of abbreviating terms, which they commonly employ in text messages, social media postings, academic essays, and official emails. The youth are the ones who are most affected. Children and teens are required to tell jokes or participate in the lighthearted conversation in school. They must share their thoughts on personal and political issues. Some may even stand out as exceptional storytellers or speakers, while others may at the very least enhance their communication abilities. Young people nowadays, on the other hand, prefer to communicate via text. They prefer to communicate with one another through passing remarks as they scan through their numerous feeds. Finally, given the reasons stated above, I believe that the benefits of social media in terms of communication exceed the drawbacks.

I agree with this approach in part. It allows people to speak with loved ones who are thousands of miles away, but it also makes them addicted to this type of virtual engagement. On the one hand, technological advancements break down geographical borders due to their use. Individuals may now engage with their peers owing to the internet and other strong technologies such as Facebook and Instagram. Furthermore, one may communicate with people from all around the world for free. To give you an example, a research done by Michigan University in 2019 found that just 25% of teens utilise traditional phone conversations. As a result of its ease and low cost, the internet has displaced the landline. Social networks, on the other hand, foster a reliance on electronics to supplant genuine human engagement. Society is spending more time on online applications, conversing with peers; this change in communication allows people to respond whenever they want and block others. Individuals can speak whenever they choose. One does not feel the urge to engage with others outside of their house. Modern couples, for example, meet on Tinder and break up over Whatsapp messages. As a result, they are not required to meet individuals at a specified location. As a result, people are becoming increasingly alienated and lonely. The youth are the ones who are most affected. Children and teens are required to tell jokes or participate in lighthearted conversation in school. They must share their thoughts on personal and political issues. Some may even stand out as exceptional storytellers or speakers, while others may at the very least enhance their communication abilities. To summarise, technology has become a two-edged sword: it helps us to contact our loved ones, but excessive usage makes us excessively reliant. To overcome the downsides, individuals must be aware of the negative effects of social networks, in my opinion.