Band 9 model answer
Smartphones have become so deeply embedded in modern routines that many users now experience genuine anxiety the moment they are separated from them. This essay will examine the principal causes of such widespread dependence before proposing several practical ways to curb it.
The roots of smartphone addiction are largely psychological and commercial in nature. Applications are deliberately engineered to be habit-forming, employing endless notifications, infinite feeds and unpredictable reward mechanisms that ruthlessly exploit the brain's craving for novelty. Moreover, social pressure plays a decisive role: because friendships, work and entertainment now converge on a single device, stepping away from it feels like missing out on essential interaction. The persistent fear of being unreachable thus reinforces compulsive checking from morning until night.
Fortunately, several measures could meaningfully ease this reliance. At the individual level, people can disable non-essential alerts, schedule regular device-free periods and replace idle scrolling with offline hobbies that restore a sense of balance and presence. Technology companies could also act far more responsibly by designing features that highlight usage statistics and gently encourage breaks rather than endless engagement. Finally, schools and employers might cultivate healthier norms, for example by discouraging the expectation of instant replies, thereby relieving much of the pressure that fuels constant connectivity.
In conclusion, smartphone dependence stems chiefly from manipulative design and the genuine social cost of disconnection, yet it is far from irreversible. Through mindful personal habits, more ethical engineering and supportive institutional cultures, individuals can gradually reclaim control and enjoy their devices without being quietly enslaved by them.
Examiner’s notes
- Task Response: the response answers both parts of the two-part question fully, devoting one paragraph to causes and one to measures, with a balanced conclusion that restates both.
- Coherence and Cohesion: logical progression is signalled by 'before proposing', 'Moreover', 'Fortunately' and 'Finally', producing a well-organised argument that is easy to follow.
- Lexical Resource: vivid collocations such as 'habit-forming', 'idle scrolling' and 'compulsive checking' show strong control of less common, topic-appropriate vocabulary.