Writing Task Two (Academic and General ) - IELTS Cambridge 20 ( Test 2 ), 2025

Question: In many countries, there is growing concern about the effects of screen time on children. What problems can this cause, and what solutions might be effective?

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Excessive screen time has become a pressing issue for children worldwide. Prolonged use of digital devices can cause both health problems and social difficulties, but these challenges are not insurmountable.

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Firstly, long hours in front of screens negatively affect children’s physical and mental health. Continuous exposure to digital devices contributes to eye strain, obesity, and poor posture. More importantly, children who rely heavily on screens may develop short attention spans and weaker interpersonal skills, since online interaction cannot fully substitute for real-life communication.

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To address these issues, effective solutions must involve both parents and schools. Parents should set daily screen-time limits and encourage outdoor activities, ensuring that children balance technology with exercise and play. Schools, on the other hand, can integrate digital literacy into the curriculum, teaching students not only how to use devices responsibly but also when to disconnect. Such combined efforts can reduce the risks while still allowing children to benefit from technology.

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In conclusion, the overuse of screens among children leads to health and social problems, but these can be alleviated through guidance from both families and educators. A balanced approach is the most realistic solution.

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Word count: 268

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Commentary on the grammar used:

Intro:
"Excessive screen time has become a pressing issue for children worldwide. Prolonged use of digital devices can cause both health problems and social difficulties, but these challenges are not insurmountable."

• Present perfect ("has become") → recent change continuing now.

• Present simple modal ("can cause") → possibility.

• Contrast with "but."

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Body 1:
"Firstly, long hours in front of screens negatively affect children’s physical and mental health. Continuous exposure to digital devices contributes to eye strain, obesity, and poor posture. More importantly, children who rely heavily on screens may develop short attention spans and weaker interpersonal skills, since online interaction cannot fully substitute for real-life communication."

• Sequencing adverb "Firstly."

• Strong subject-verb agreement ("exposure contributes").

• Subordinate clause of reason: "since online interaction cannot fully substitute..."

• Use of modal "may develop" → hedging.

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Body 2:
"To address these issues, effective solutions must involve both parents and schools. Parents should set daily screen-time limits and encourage outdoor activities, ensuring that children balance technology with exercise and play. Schools, on the other hand, can integrate digital literacy into the curriculum, teaching students not only how to use devices responsibly but also when to disconnect. Such combined efforts can reduce the risks while still allowing children to benefit from technology."

• Modal verbs: "must involve," "should set," "can integrate." → formal recommendations.

• Present participle clause: "ensuring that children balance..."

• Correlative conjunction: "not only... but also..."

• Cohesion with "Such combined efforts..."

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Conclusion:
"In conclusion, the overuse of screens among children leads to health and social problems, but these can be alleviated through guidance from both families and educators. A balanced approach is the most realistic solution."

• Present simple "leads to."

• Passive structure "can be alleviated."

• Definite article "the overuse of screens" → specific reference back to essay.