Please help me review my essay. Thank you!

Some people think that the news media have become much more influential in people’s lives today and it is a negative development. To what extent do you agree/disagree?

It is sometimes suggested that the news media have had a huge impact on today’s society. While I agree that too heavy a reliance on the news may cause serious problems, I still believe that the benefits are just as significant.

It is obvious that mass media are having profound effects upon individuals and society as a whole. Nowadays, many people have fallen into a pattern of regularly watching or listening to the news, the majority of which is likely about the coronavirus crisis or natural disasters that are plaguing all around the world. Consuming too much of these kinds of news can lead to severe mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and trouble sleeping. In addition, the habit of checking the news on a regular basis can be extremely time-consuming. Since almost everyone has access to the Internet through their mobile devices, they might well spend large proportions of their time scrolling through unimportant social feeds on Facebook and Twitter. This may pose a problem at the workplace for notifications on newspaper apps can easily distract employees from their work.

Nevertheless, there are several advantages of reading news that we should not overlook. Firstly, the effective use of technology and mass media enables people to enrich knowledge and stay informed in real-time. Because newspapers report on a wide range of topics and interests, it seems that readers can always find new things to learn and gain a much deeper insight into. Students can also greatly benefit from reading the news. Skimming through different blogs and articles will introduce young minds to new words and phrases that are not only meaningful but also challenging. When pupils constantly read, they will no doubt improve vocabulary range and grammar skills along the way.

In conclusion, although there will undoubtedly be some negative consequences of news media consumption, we should not dismiss all of its favourable aspects.