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With the rise of digital media, celebrity news has become a constant presence in everyday life, reaching even young audiences. This increased exposure highlights society’s fascination with fame and luxury. While many argue that such media coverage has a harmful effect on children, shaping unreal expectations and values, others believe it can inspire and educate. This debate over ‘Many People Believe That Media Coverage of Celebrities Is Having a Negative Effect on Children IELTS Writing Task 2′ continues to raise concerns among parents, educators, and psychologists.
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Many People Believe that Media Coverage of Celebrities is Having a Negative Effect on Children.
Here are 3 different perspectives for the topic IELTS Writing Task 2 ‘Many People Believe That Media Coverage of Celebrities Is Having a Negative Effect on Children’. Explore each viewpoint and learn how to structure your response effectively to score high in your IELTS exam.
Sample Structure 1: Agree with the Opinion
Introduction
Begin by rephrasing the question in your own words. Clearly state your thesis with a balanced opinion, such as partly agreeing or disagreeing with the idea that media coverage of celebrities negatively affects children.
Body Paragraph 1: Negative Impact on Children
Explain how exposure to celebrity lifestyles can promote materialism and unrealistic beauty standards. Discuss the potential negative effects this may have on children’s mental health and self-esteem.
Body Paragraph 2: Media Has Educational Value When Handled Well
Highlight that the media can also provide educational benefits when used responsibly. Give examples of how stories of hard work, talent, and positive role models in areas like sports, charity, and the arts can inspire children.
Body Paragraph 3: Responsibility Lies with Media and Parents
Emphasise that both the media and parents have a role to play in minimising harm. Discuss the importance of balanced media coverage, as well as the need for media literacy and parental guidance to help children interpret what they see.
Conclusion
Restate your mixed or balanced opinion. Suggest practical steps, such as promoting responsible media practices and encouraging parental involvement, to address the issue effectively.
Sample Essay 1
As media reaches every corner of daily life, the lives of celebrities are broadcast widely and frequently. While many argue that such exposure negatively affects children, the reality is more nuanced. I believe celebrity media coverage has both positive and negative effects, and the outcome depends largely on how it is consumed and presented.
On the negative side, children are easily influenced by the glamorous lifestyles and unrealistic standards portrayed by celebrities. Lavish spending, obsession with appearance, and at times irresponsible behaviour are often celebrated by the media. This can create false expectations among young minds and lower their self-esteem when they compare their lives to the unattainable ideals shown on screen.
However, not all media portrayals are harmful. Many celebrities use their fame to promote positive values such as hard work, resilience, and social responsibility. For instance, athletes and artists who speak openly about their struggles can serve as powerful role models for youth. Children may feel inspired to pursue their passions and overcome challenges when they hear stories of genuine success achieved through effort.
Furthermore, the media itself is not the sole problem. Parents and educators play a crucial role in guiding children to interpret media critically. With proper discussions and monitoring, children can learn to distinguish between reality and illusion. Balanced media coverage that includes both the achievements and struggles of public figures can provide a more realistic picture.
In conclusion, while unfiltered media attention on celebrities can mislead children, it also offers opportunities for learning and inspiration. Therefore, a collaborative effort from media platforms, parents, and schools is essential to help children navigate celebrity culture wisely.
Lexical Resources
| Word | Synonym | Antonym |
| Celebrity | Public figure, icon | An unknown, ordinary person |
| Glamorous | Alluring, dazzling | Modest, plain |
| Influence | Impact, effect | Neglect, ignore |
| Unrealistic | Impractical, exaggerated | Realistic, achievable |
| Role model | Mentor, idol | Bad example |
| Media | Press, journalism | Silence, privacy |
| Inspiration | Motivation, encouragement | Discouragement |
| Critical | Analytical, discerning | Naive, unthinking |
| Consumption | Exposure, engagement | Avoidance, rejection |
| Responsibility | Duty, accountability | Irresponsibility |
Word Meaning
| Word | Meaning |
| Influence | The power to affect someone’s thoughts or actions |
| Glamorous | Attractive in an exciting and special way |
| Unrealistic | Not showing things as they are; idealised |
| Self-esteem | One’s sense of self-worth or personal value |
| Resilience | The ability to recover from setbacks or challenges |
| Role model | A person whose behaviour is imitated by others |
| Media literacy | The ability to understand and critically evaluate media content |
| Balanced | Showing different aspects fairly and equally |
| Inspire | To fill someone with the desire to do something creative or meaningful |
| Consumption | The act of using or engaging with media or other content |
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Sample Structure 2: Balanced Point of View
Introduction
Begin by paraphrasing the topic in your own words. Clearly state that you strongly agree that media coverage of celebrities has a negative impact on children.
Body Paragraph 1: Glamorisation of Unrealistic Standards
Discuss how the media’s focus on celebrities’ wealth, beauty, and fame glamorises unrealistic standards. Explain how this emphasis can damage children’s self-esteem and mental health.
Body Paragraph 2: Negative Celebrity Behaviour as a Bad Example
Describe how the media often highlights negative celebrity behaviours such as substance abuse, reckless actions, and toxic relationships. Explain how sensationalised reporting can make such behaviour seem normal or acceptable to young audiences.
Body Paragraph 3: Social Media’s Role in Magnifying the Problem
Examine how constant updates about celebrities on social media create unrealistic attachments and expectations. Discuss the negative effects this can have on children’s emotional stability and self-image.
Conclusion
Restate your strong agreement that media coverage of celebrities negatively affects children. Call for a change in how the media portrays celebrities to better protect young viewers.
Sample Essay 2
In the age of digital media, celebrities dominate headlines and social platforms, often becoming role models for children. I strongly agree that this constant media coverage negatively influences young minds, shaping unrealistic expectations and harmful behaviours.
To begin with, the media often glamorises luxury, beauty, and fame, painting an incomplete picture of success. Children, who are still developing their identity, may believe that external appearance and wealth are the most important aspects of life. As a result, they may suffer from low self-worth, envy, or anxiety when they fail to meet these unattainable standards.
Moreover, the behaviour of some celebrities sets a dangerous example. Instances of substance abuse, toxic relationships, and reckless spending are often sensationalised. Even when such conduct is criticised, the repeated exposure can normalise it. Children may start to admire fame regardless of the means by which it was achieved, blurring the line between right and wrong.
In addition, social media platforms amplify the problem. With constant updates and personal content from celebrities, children form one-sided attachments and begin to measure their lives by these influencers’ curated realities. This can further distort their self-image and emotional stability.
In conclusion, the excessive media attention given to celebrities often creates a distorted world where children absorb shallow values and unhealthy ideals. Unless there is a major shift in how the media portrays public figures, the damage to children’s mental well-being may become irreversible.
Lexical Resources
| Word | Synonym | Antonym |
| Glamorise | Idolise, romanticise | Criticise, disparage |
| Unrealistic | Impractical, exaggerated | Realistic, attainable |
| Self-esteem | Confidence, self-worth | Insecurity, doubt |
| Sensationalise | Exaggerate, dramatise | Understate, minimise |
| Normalize | Accept, legitimise | Deny, reject |
| Reckless | Careless, irresponsible | Cautious, prudent |
| Attachment | Bond, connection | Detachment, separation |
| Mental health | Psychological well-being | Mental illness |
| Distorted | Twisted, warped | Clear, accurate |
| Impact | Effect, influence | Neglect, disregard |
Word Meaning
| Word | Meaning |
| Glamorise | To make something appear more attractive or exciting than it really is |
| Unrealistic | Not representing what is real or practical |
| Self-esteem | A person’s overall sense of their value or worth |
| Sensationalise | To present information in a way that provokes public interest or excitement |
| Normalise | To make something normal or standard |
| Reckless | Acting without thinking about the consequences |
| Attachment | A strong emotional bond or connection |
| Mental health | The condition of someone’s psychological and emotional well-being |
| Distorted | Changed from the original meaning or shape, often in a negative way |
| Impact | The strong effect or influence that something has |
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Sample Structure 3: Disagree with the Topic
Introduction
Begin by paraphrasing the topic in your own words. Clearly state that you completely disagree with the opinion that media coverage of celebrities has a negative impact on children.
Body Paragraph 1: Positive Social Messages from Celebrities
Discuss how many celebrities use their platforms to promote positive social messages, such as raising awareness about mental health, environmental issues, and equality. Explain how these messages can positively influence children’s empathy and social values.
Body Paragraph 2: Inspiration from Celebrity Struggles and Success
Highlight how stories of celebrities overcoming struggles through hard work and perseverance can inspire children. Emphasise that such stories motivate young people to pursue their own goals and dreams.
Body Paragraph 3: Importance of Parental Guidance and Media Literacy
Stress the importance of teaching children critical thinking skills to interpret media content. Argue that adults, especially parents, have a responsibility to guide children’s media consumption and help them benefit from positive influences.
Conclusion
Restate your disagreement with the claim that media coverage of celebrities has a negative effect on children. Emphasise the collaborative role of adults and the media in ensuring that children are positively influenced by celebrity coverage.
Sample Essay 3
While many are concerned about the impact of celebrity coverage on children, I completely disagree with the notion that it is inherently harmful. Instead, I believe it can be a source of learning, motivation, and awareness if approached with guidance and critical thinking.
Firstly, celebrities often use their platform to raise awareness about social causes, health, and education. When children see actors or athletes supporting mental health, environmental protection, or equal rights, they are more likely to develop empathy and social responsibility. These messages, delivered through familiar faces, can leave a strong impression.
Secondly, many celebrities inspire children to follow their dreams. From singers who struggled through poverty to athletes who trained for years to achieve success, their stories promote the values of dedication and perseverance. These real-life journeys can motivate children to work hard and believe in themselves.
Additionally, blaming media coverage alone ignores the role of parenting. Children need adults to help them understand what they see and hear. With proper media literacy education at home and in schools, children can be taught to analyse celebrity content critically. Rather than being passive consumers, they can become active learners.
In conclusion, celebrity coverage is not the problem, it is how we respond to it that matters. With parental support and education, media coverage can become a tool for positive development rather than a threat to children’s values.
Lexical Resources
| Word | Synonym | Antonym |
| Empathy | Compassion, understanding | Indifference, apathy |
| Awareness | Consciousness, knowledge | Ignorance, unawareness |
| Inspire | Motivate, encourage | Discourage, dissuade |
| Perseverance | Persistence, determination | Quit, surrender |
| Social responsibility | Civic duty, accountability | Irresponsibility |
| Critical thinking | Analytical thinking, evaluation | Naive thinking |
| Guidance | Direction, advice | Neglect, misguidance |
| Collaboration | Cooperation, teamwork | Opposition, conflict |
| Positive | Beneficial, constructive | Negative, harmful |
| Interpretation | Understanding, explanation | Misunderstanding |
Word Meaning
| Word | Meaning |
| Empathy | The ability to understand and share the feelings of another |
| Awareness | Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact |
| Inspire | To fill someone with the urge to do or feel something positive |
| Perseverance | Continued effort despite difficulties or delays |
| Social responsibility | The duty to act for the benefit of society |
| Critical thinking | The process of analyzing facts to form a judgment |
| Guidance | Help or advice provided to solve a problem or make decisions |
| Collaboration | The act of working together toward a common goal |
| Positive | Having a good or beneficial effect |
| Interpretation | The act of explaining the meaning of something |
In summary of the IELTS Writing Task 2 ‘Many People Believe That Media Coverage of Celebrities Is Having a Negative Effect on Children’, media coverage of celebrities plays an important role in shaping children’s perspectives and values. Although it can sometimes promote unrealistic ideals and materialism, it also has the potential to motivate and educate when guided properly. Ultimately, the impact depends on the content presented and the involvement of adults in helping children interpret what they see.
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FAQs
Ans. Celebrity media can shape the values of children by highlighting what is glamorous or popular. If children mainly see wealth and fame portrayed positively, they might prioritise material success over qualities like hard work and honesty. However, exposure to celebrities who promote positive causes can encourage empathy and social responsibility.
Ans. Yes, parental guidance plays an important role in reducing the negative effects of celebrity media on children. When parents discuss media content with their children, helping them distinguish between reality and entertainment, children are better able to evaluate what they see and adopt healthier perspectives critically.
Ans. No, not all portrayals are harmful. Many celebrities use their influence for positive social causes, like mental health awareness or charity work, which can inspire children to adopt good values and contribute to their communities.
Ans. Media creators should try to provide balanced and responsible content that reflects positive role models and meaningful achievements, rather than focusing solely on glamour and controversy. This helps foster healthy attitudes in young audiences.
Ans. When exposure is guided properly, children can learn persistence, kindness, and the importance of social causes from celebrity stories. Positive narratives about overcoming challenges and giving back can motivate children to develop strong character traits.
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