IELTS Opinion Essay on Media With 3 Sample Answers

Some people believe that violent media directly results in violent behaviour. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

In this article you will find three versions of this same question. In the first answer, the writer fully agrees with the statement. The second answer is also written with full agreement. 

1. Answer written with full agreement with the statement:

A few individuals accept that savage media straightforwardly comes about in savage behaviour. The reference to violence reflected in news, social media and films contributes to behavioural implications in both children and adults. I agree with this idea that violent images and incitements have a negative impact on behaviour.

In fact, human behaviour learns from any act by adaptations and imitations. Psychology has clearly implied the impression that visual simulation can have on the mind of children and adults. When media broadcasts horrifying crimes, news or when any violent content is projected on screen or in newspapers, psychologists suggest these as the real factor instigating a crime in reality. Subsequently, violent or neo-noir films develop a passivity towards life, feeding an aggressive mood within the society. For example, a film on war and agony contributes to both patriotism and passive aggression. 

Moreover, simulation games and VFX universes are becoming addictive among adolescents. A large portion of time spent by a teenager on such video games aiming at ‘headshots’ instigates their social behaviour in the real world. Peer aggression and violent behaviour has been seen to be a major contribution of these games. Since people kill each other as mercenaries in these games, their social life seems to be falling apart. Films such as "squid game", became popular in Japan and in Korea reflecting the desperation among human beings in actual life. It was reported how a number of people started killing each other due to this game, resulting in banning of such shows.

To conclude, I therefore agree that any visual impetus has a longer impact for better or for worse. As a result, seeing violence bring out aggression and violent change in behaviour among youngsters and adults.

2. Answer written with full agreement with the statement:

In the last few decades, due to the evolution of media, the popularity of aggressive content on television and online games has increased drastically. While some argue that this trend makes people more violent, others insist that it has no impact on their conduct. In my opinion, I believe that constant exposure to terrorising content in the media plays a significant role in encouraging violent behaviour.

Firstly, many individuals, especially youngsters are attracted towards online games, which include substantial violence and aggression. This creates a lasting impression on their mind and motivates them to imitate the same actions. Moreover, there have been numerous cases where such exposure has proven fatal. For instance, a controversial, highly-addictive online game called “PUBG” has played a key role in exposing children to a world of criminality. Not only has it promoted negative activities, but has also disrupted the mental health of the youth, by normalising violence.

Secondly, the portrayal of violent content in movies is unrealistically stylised and glamorous. Several action movies or crime series include gruesome acts of brutality, which not only make them perpetrators of violence, but also bolster the imitation of such destructive behaviours without the awareness of the consequences in real-life. For example, several crime thrillers have a lot of elements of physical conflict, frauds, sadism and injustice, which in turn influence the public, especially the youngsters, to model these hazardous acts.

To conclude, it is undoubtedly true that we are influenced by what we see, hear and experience. In my opinion, the projection of violence in the media in various forms definitely has aggravated the rate of violent crimes in society and certainly has a negative impact on people and communities since it normalises violence, makes people less empathetic and more aggressive.

 3. Answer written with partial agreement with the statement:

In the last few decades, due to the evolution of media, the popularity of aggressive content on television and online games has increased drastically. While some argue that this trend makes people more violent, others insist that it has no impact on their conduct. In my opinion, despite the constant exposure to terrorising content in the media plays a significant role in encouraging violent behaviour, it is not the only element in promoting violence in humans.

Firstly, many individuals, especially youngsters are attracted towards online games, which include substantial violence and aggression. This creates a lasting impression on their mind and motivates them to imitate the same actions. For instance, a controversial, highly-addictive online game called “PUBG” has played a key role in exposing children to a world of criminality.

Secondly, the portrayal of violent content in movies is unrealistically stylised and glamorous. Several action movies or crime series include gruesome acts of brutality. For example, several crime thrillers have a lot of elements of physical conflict, frauds, sadism and injustice, which in turn influence the public, especially the youngsters, to model these hazardous acts.

However, it is also known that humans are violent in nature by evolution as well. The history of human civilisation shows that violence has been an integral part of our society long before the advent of media. The merciless havoc caused by wars, both national and international, raids by invaders, and heinous atrocities such as the Holocaust by Adolf Hitler during the Second World War are few examples of how violent humans can be, even without the aid or influence of media.

To conclude, it is undoubtedly true that we are influenced by what we see, hear and experience. In my opinion, although the projection of violence in the media in various forms definitely has aggravated the rate of crimes by normalising violence and aggression, it is not the sole source and cause of violent behaviour in our society.