IELTS Writing Task 2 – Band 8.0 Sample

As more people turn to social media for news, false information can reach millions of users within hours. I agree that platforms should bear some legal responsibility for this content, although holding them liable for every single post would be neither fair nor workable.

The main reason for regulation is that these companies are not neutral noticeboards. Their algorithms decide which posts are shown to whom, and they tend to amplify sensational content because it generates more engagement and therefore more advertising revenue. In other words, they profit directly from the spread of misleading material. During the pandemic, for example, fake cures circulated widely online, and some people suffered serious harm as a result. If a newspaper published such claims, it could be sued, so it seems reasonable to expect similar standards from platforms that reach far larger audiences than any newspaper ever has.

Nevertheless, making companies liable for everything their users write would create serious problems of its own. Billions of posts are uploaded every day, and fear of prosecution could push firms to delete anything remotely controversial, which would restrict freedom of expression. A more sensible approach would be to require platforms to act swiftly once harmful falsehoods are reported, to be transparent about how their algorithms work, and to face substantial fines if they repeatedly fail to do so. The European Union has already moved in this direction, obliging large platforms to assess and reduce the risks their services pose to public debate.

In conclusion, while social media firms cannot reasonably check every post in advance, they shape what users see and should be held accountable for how quickly and effectively they deal with dangerous misinformation, just as any other powerful industry is answerable for the harm its products cause.