IELTS Writing Task 2: Technology & Social Skills

Question. Some people believe that smartphones and social media are damaging people’s real-life social skills. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Band 9 model answer

It is often claimed that mobile technology and social media are eroding face-to-face communication. While I accept that overuse can weaken social confidence, I largely disagree that these tools are inherently harmful, as they also create powerful new ways to connect.

Admittedly, excessive screen time can undermine real-world interaction. People who spend hours scrolling may struggle to read body language or hold a spontaneous conversation, and families sometimes sit together in silence, absorbed in separate devices. In this sense, technology can crowd out the practice that social skills require.

However, the same tools also strengthen relationships and build new ones. Video calls allow migrant workers in the Middle East to stay close to their children in Bangladesh, while online communities let shy individuals rehearse social interaction in a low-pressure setting before meeting in person. Used deliberately, technology supplements rather than replaces human contact.

In conclusion, although smartphones can weaken social skills when abused, I believe the technology itself is not to blame; the outcome depends on how thoughtfully it is used.