IELTS Writing Task 2 – Band 8.0 Sample

Advertising aimed at children is a controversial issue. Some people argue that it should be banned outright, whereas others consider it a normal part of a market economy. In my opinion, a ban on advertising to young children is justified.

Those who oppose a ban put forward several arguments. They claim that advertising provides useful information about new products and that parents, not governments, should decide what their children are exposed to. Furthermore, many children's television channels and websites rely on advertising revenue to fund high-quality content. Without this income, some educational programmes might no longer be produced.

On the other hand, supporters of a ban argue that young children are particularly vulnerable to persuasive messages. Research suggests that children under the age of eight often cannot distinguish between advertisements and ordinary programmes, so they take claims at face value. As a result, advertisements for toys and junk food can fuel unhealthy eating habits and put pressure on parents to buy things they cannot afford. For example, a child who sees the same snack advertised repeatedly may pester their parents until they give in.

I side with the second view. Since young children lack the critical thinking skills to judge advertisements, it is unfair for companies to target them directly. Sweden, for instance, has banned television advertising aimed at children under twelve for decades, and its media industry continues to thrive. Advertising for older teenagers could still be allowed, provided it follows strict guidelines.

In conclusion, although advertising supports some children's media, I believe that protecting young children from manipulative marketing should take precedence, so advertising aimed at them should be banned.