IELTS Writing Task 2: Technological Devices
Many people think technological devices such as smart phones, tablets and mobile phones bring more disadvantages than advantages.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
The availability of new technologies to the average citizen in the form of consumer electronics brings with it both advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, though these devices are convenient, their use is a negative overall given the impact on mental health.
Proponents of phones and tablets can point to the all but limitless functionality they provide. It is possible, just by owning a small, affordable device that fits in your pocket, to instantly capture video, take photos, send emails, check social media, make phone calls, watch movies, listen to music, play games and use a wide variety of productivity applications. There is no arguing with the near miraculous achievements found in smartphones and tablets. Used properly, these save time and widen the possible outlets for self-expression and creativity. An amateur film-maker, for example, can shoot and edit digital video directly on their phone, add in sound effects and post it easily to a website like YouTube.
Nonetheless, the potential of phones is hindered by their corrosive effect. It is almost impossible to use a phone as a tool to enhance creativity and productivity because it is also home to applications designed to prey on the weaknesses of the human psyche. Companies like Facebook tap into a natural human desire for affirmation and trigger addictive dopamine bursts as rewards for posting selfies. Those not addicted to social media, may find themselves wasting hours playing videogames, receiving roughly the same chemical incentive. Over time, users become dependent on unhealthy habits that humans have not had time to evolve counters for and the ostensible convenience of these handheld devices becomes an excuse, rather than a reason, to own one.
In conclusion, phones and tablets open up new possibilities but their abuse has led to a generation of dependent users. It is up to individuals, not organisation and governments, to limit their screen time to preserve their mental well-being.
VOCABULARY
- availability can be used now
- new technologies more advanced tech
- average citizen normal person
- in the form of manifested in
- consumer electronics phones, tablets, etc.
- brings with it also includes
- convenient easy to use, helpful
- negative overall given not good on the whole because
- mental health psychological state
- proponents supporters
- point to argue
- all but almost
- limitless functionality unlimited uses
- affordable cheap
- fits in your pocket can be put in your pocket, can be carried
- instantly capture video right away shoots videos
- wide variety of productivity applications many types of programs for saving time
- there is no arguing with it is indisputable
- near miraculous achievements almost impossible successes
- found in on
- used properly not abused
- save time more efficient
- widen the possible outlets increase the avenues for
- self-expression expressing yourself
- creativity art
- amateur film-maker not professional movie maker
- edit digital video directly work on videos right after shooting on their phones
- add in sound effects put in sounds
- post it share it online
- hindered by slowed by
- corrosive effect impact that hurts
- enhance creativity make one more creative
- home to has
- designed to prey on made to take advantage of
- weaknesses drawbacks
- human psyche psychology
- tap into exploit
- natural human desire part of human nature
- affirmation reassurance
- trigger addictive dopamine bursts make you feel happy
- posting selfies putting up pictures you took of yourself
- addicted can’t stop using
- wasting hours not using time well
- receiving roughly getting abotu the same
- chemical incentive bursts of happiness
- dependent rely on
- unhealthy habits not good for you
- evolve counters for find ways to defend oneself from
- ostensible convenience seemingly good for you
- handheld devices phones, tablets
- excuse a reason for doing something
- rather than a reason instead of a real cause
- open up new possibilities allows for new opportunities
- abuse not use properly
- generation group of people born around now
- up to responsible for
- limit restrict
- screen time time spent on computers, phones
- preserve maintain
- mental well-being mental health
From : howtodoielts.com
