New technologies have changed the way children spend their free time. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

新技术改变了孩子们闲暇的方式。优势大于劣势吗？

There have been many news reports recently suggesting that the way young people spend their leisure time has been altered by modem technology. While this might bring benefits, on the down side, I will argue the problems IT bring far outweigh them.

On the one hand, the advantages of children playing computer games on their phones and tablets might help improve their cognitive development. For example, some games can improve problem solving skills and reaction times. Attributes that future employers might find very useful on the job.  Secondly, young people might benefit from early exposure to the Internet so they can start their learning process earlier and get ahead of the game before they start formal schooling.  

On the other hand, I would argue the advantages discussed above are outweighed by the disadvantages. One drawback is that children become fixated and immersed in their screen time and become reluctant to exercise, resulting in problems such as obesity. In addition, some games tempt people to play at all hours leading to gaming addiction and spending an excessive amount of time on their machines. Often these games are also money-spinners for the makers, with the players having to drip feed the games with money to advance the storyline.

In conclusion, while there are some advantages of children spending time on advanced technologies, it seems to me that the disadvantages are more significant.  Health and money problems are but two of the dangers that lurk in the dark side of these new technologies.

By Dr Rob Burton

Vocabulary

on the downside (idiom) Considering the negative, adverse, disadvantageous, regrettable, etc., aspects of a situation, especially one that is or would be otherwise positive or beneficial. My son will automatically have EU citizenship because he's being born in Ireland, but on the downside, we have to apply separately for American citizenship.

on the job (idiom) Working on a particular task. Don't worry, we've got Kathy on the job. If she can't fix it, no one can. We know how important it is, so we've got our four best guys on the job. My lawnmower broke down, so I've got the neighbor's son on the job.

ahead of the game (idiom) Gaining or maintaining an advantage in a situation, often by completing a task before its given deadline. My term paper isn't due until next week, but I want to be ahead of the game and finish it tonight. It's hard to stay ahead of the game in network security when the threat landscape is constantly changing.

all hours (of the day and night) (idiom) All day and night. Is that pharmacy open all hours? I know it's 2 AM, but I just got out of the ER and need to fill a prescription.

money-spinner (idiom) A lucrative business or product. That mobile dating app has proved to be a real money-spinner for the developer—it's making them more money than anything else they've launched before.

seem like someone or something (idiom) To appear to be like some kind of person or something. You seemed like such a nice person when I met you. This seems like a nice day.

lurk (verb) To exist unobserved or unsuspected: danger lurking around every bend.

the dark side of (someone or something) (idiom) The negative or troubled part of someone or something that is usually concealed. My mom is always sweet to my friends, but I've seen the dark side of her enough to know mean she can be. Shady deals like this are the dark side of the music industry, unfortunately.

范文解析：

    这是一篇典型的科技类的利弊型大作文。此类题目要求作者对于一个话题的优点和缺点进行分别客观叙述，然后表明自己的立场。写这种类型的大作文时，通常使用引出话题+表明立场的结构来组成首段；其次在主体段中，如此篇范文，作者使用了两段式的写作手法：一段呈现优点，另一段呈现缺点，并分别展开说明论证。在主体段中，作者运用“on the one hand” 和 “on the other hand”这样的标记语（discourse markers）分别开头，条理清楚的引出利弊两种观点。最后，结尾段通常包括重申观点和总结上文两个部分。

    这篇文章中，作者的写作结构非常清晰明了，词汇丰富且运用了正确的连接词，适合考生们模仿学习。在文章末尾总结了一些重点词汇，并附上解释以及例句供大家参考。文中使用的类似写作技巧和逻辑结构在启德2018雅思标准化教材的强化段第九课有详细的介绍。科技类题目写作技巧也会在标准化教材中有详细地讲解，如果大家想学习更多关于雅思写作的内容，欢迎大家来启德上课。