Writing report
general IELTS Writing: Task 2
Overall score
6.50
6.5 of 9.0
Submitted on
Jan 30, 2026 (2 months ago)
Writing duration
0 minutes
Task description
More an more people nowadays visit well-known places to take photographs of themselves, without looking at the place. Why do you think this is happening? Is it a positive or a negative trend?
You should write a minimum of 150 words.
Source: Cambridge 19
Task answer
In recent years, many visitors to the famous locations have focused more on taking photographs of themselves rather than experiencing the places they visit. This behaviour is largely influenced by social media, and in my view, it is a negative trend.
One clear reason for this phenomenon is the growing importance of social media platforms. These platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok, encourage users to share impressive content, and visiting popular landscapes and taking photos are often seen as symbols of success, lifestyle, and status. As a consequence, traveller my feel pressure to get a perfect photo rather than learning about the history or enjoying the spectacle of that view. For instance, many young people visit renowned monuments primarily for photographs, solely for posting online without spending much time learning about the area.
This trend has several negative effects. Most notably, it leads to superficial tourism, where tourists fail to gain any meaningful understanding of the cultural or historical value of a location. Moreover, excessive photo-taking can disturb the environment of popular regions, making them crowded and less enjoyable for other visitors who wish to explore them thoughtfully. Over time, such actions may reduce respect for rich heritage sites, as they are treated as background rather than a place of significance.
In conclusion, the increased habit of visiting reputable places mainly for taking selfies is driven by modern social media influence and the desire for online recognition. Although taking photos is not harmful, this act is largely negative because it weakens cultural appreciation and diminishes the true purpose of travel.
Word count:258