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Opinion (Agree / Disagree) Technology Task 2

New technologies have changed she way children spend their free time. Discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of this trend.

A full IELTS Writing Task 2 answer to this question, with a paragraph plan, ideas you can use, and the vocabulary that fits this topic.

The question

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

New technologies have changed she way children spend their free time. Discuss the advantages and the disadvantages of this trend.

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

Write at least 250 words.

How to read this question

You are given one statement and asked how far you agree. The examiner is checking that you take a clear position in the introduction and hold it consistently to the conclusion — a partial agreement is fine, an unclear one is not.

Paragraph plan

Introduction — Paraphrase the prompt and state that both advantages and disadvantages exist — no opinion is required.

Body 1 — Develop one central advantage in depth: access to self-directed, interest-led learning.

Body 2 — Develop one central disadvantage in depth: displacement of physical activity and real social interaction.

Conclusion — Restate the balanced position — do not introduce new ideas or shift into problem-solution framing.

Model essay

Band 8.5–9.0 model essay

305 words

New technologies have fundamentally reshaped how children spend their leisure time. In my view, this shift is largely beneficial, although it can prove detrimental if screen time is left unregulated.

To begin, modern technology offers children considerable educational and creative advantages during their free time. To clarify, applications and platforms designed for learning allow children to explore subjects ranging from mathematics to foreign languages in an interactive, engaging format that traditional textbooks cannot easily replicate. Furthermore, digital tools such as drawing software or video editing applications enable children to express creativity in new ways, developing technical skills that may prove valuable in future careers. Many children also use these platforms to connect with peers who share similar interests, forming communities around hobbies that would otherwise be difficult to access locally. Access to a virtually limitless library of documentaries and tutorials further broadens children's curiosity beyond what any single school subject could offer. For these reasons, I agree that technology can enrich children's leisure time when used purposefully and with clear boundaries.

However, this positive assessment holds only under certain conditions. Without parental oversight, excessive engagement with screens can displace physical activity and face-to-face social interaction, both of which are essential for healthy childhood development. To illustrate, children who spend hours immersed in video games or social media may experience disrupted sleep patterns, reduced attention spans, and diminished opportunities to build interpersonal skills through outdoor play. Consequently, unless parents actively monitor and limit usage, the benefits of technology can be outweighed by these developmental risks, particularly during the formative years when healthy habits and routines are established.

To conclude, I agree that technology has largely enriched how children spend their free time through educational and creative opportunities, but this remains true only when parents ensure that screen use does not replace physical activity and social interaction.

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Ideas & vocabulary for this topic

Ideas you can use

  • Introduction: State the balanced position that technology has largely improved how children spend free time, but this holds only if screen time is regulated.
  • Body 1: Agree that technology brings genuine benefits: interactive educational apps, creative tools like drawing/video editing software, and access to peer communities and tutorials that broaden children's interests.
  • Body 2: Note the exception/condition: without parental oversight, excessive screen time displaces physical activity and face-to-face interaction, harming sleep and attention span during formative years.
  • Conclusion: Restate the conditional agreement — technology enriches children's free time only when parents ensure it doesn't replace physical activity and social interaction.
Word or phraseMeaningUsed in a sentence
interactiveallowing two-way engagement or response, rather than passive consumptionan interactive, engaging format that traditional textbooks cannot easily replicate
technical skillspractical abilities related to using tools, software or specialised methodsdeveloping technical skills that may prove valuable in future careers
purposefullywith a clear intention or aim in mindtechnology can enrich children's leisure time when used purposefully and with clear boundaries
displaceto take the place of something, pushing it outexcessive engagement with screens can displace physical activity
disrupted sleep patternsirregular or poor-quality sleep caused by interference with normal routinesmay experience disrupted sleep patterns, reduced attention spans
attention spanthe length of time a person can concentrate on one thingreduced attention spans, and diminished opportunities to build interpersonal skills
oversightsupervision or monitoring of an activitywithout parental oversight, excessive engagement with screens can displace physical activity
formative yearsthe early period of life when character and habits are shapedparticularly during the formative years when healthy habits and routines are established

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