Associations Between Time Spent Using Social Media and Internalizing and Externalizing Problems Among US Youth

Jasmina Kasimova

Riehm, Kira E. “Associations Between Time Spent Using Social Media and Internalizing and Externalizing Problems Among US Youth”. Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg    School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD,14 June, 2019.

           In this research article, epidemiologist with expertise in quantitative science, mental health, and substance use. Who studied in McGill University, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Columbia University and currently works as the Clinical Research Lead at Eleanor Health discusses if time spent using social media is associated with mental health problems among adolescents. Even after controlling for the history of mental health issues in this cohort study of 6595 US adolescents, more time spent on social media per day was prospectively linked to higher odds of reporting high levels of internalizing and comorbid internalizing and externalizing difficulties. In the text it states, “ Adolescents who spend more than 3 hours per day using social media may be at heightened risk for mental health problems, particularly internalizing problems. “ This proves that social media has a risk of causing mental health problems in teenagers. In the text it also states,” concerns are increasingly raised about potential harms of social media use.One-quarter of adolescents think social media has a mostly negative influence on people their age, pointing to reasons like rumor spreading, lack of in-person contact, unrealistic views of others’ lives, peer pressure, and mental health issues.” Kira believes that social media has a negative effect on adolescents which include rumor spreading, lack of in-person contact, unrealistic views of others’ lives, peer pressure, and mental health issues.

Transgender Athletes Competing at a High Level

William Kwan

Hogshead-Makar, Nancy. “Sex Matters: Why Transgender Athletes Must Not Compete Against Biological Females.” Swimming World Magazine, 26 Feb. 2019, https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/sex-matters-why-transgender-athletes-must-not-compete-against-biological-females/

  • In her article “Sex Matters: Why Transgender Athletes Must Not Compete Against Biological Females,” Nancy Hogshead-Makar argues that transgender athletes competing against biological females in sports is unfair and poses a risk to the safety of female athletes. She claims that the physical differences between male and female athletes are significant and cannot be mitigated by hormone therapy or other medical interventions, as they only partially reduce strength and speed advantages. Hogshead-Makar emphasizes that women’s sports were created to provide opportunities for female athletes to compete fairly, and allowing transgender athletes to compete against them undermines this objective. She also notes that the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports could create a scenario where biological males dominate female sports, resulting in fewer opportunities for female athletes. Overall, Hogshead-Makar argues that it is important to maintain a level playing field in women’s sports and to protect the safety and opportunities of female athletes.
  • Nancy Hogshead-Makar is a former Olympic swimmer and civil rights lawyer. The article is published on Swimming World Magazine, a respected publication that covers swimming and aquatics-related news and events. The article presents a well-researched argument based on scientific evidence and legal considerations.
  1. “The physical differences between males and females are significant and can’t be fully mitigated by hormone therapy or surgeries. Males are taller, heavier and have more muscle mass than females. As a result, they are typically stronger, faster and more powerful. These differences confer a significant athletic advantage.”
  2. “Allowing males to compete as females simply if they change their name or take hormones is unfair — no matter how much reassignment surgery they undergo. The uneven playing field cheats athletes and destroys dreams. Women fought long and hard for an equal chance to compete on the playing field. Those efforts deserve respect and protection.”

Hogshead-makar

Transgender Athletes Competing at a High Level

William Kwan

 Dennis L. Weisman,”Transgender Athletes and Fair Competition in Public Policy.” Cato Institute, Fall 2022, https://www.cato.org/regulation/fall-2022/transgender-athletes-fair-competition-public-policy.

  • The article “Transgender Athletes and Fair Competition in Public Policy” by Dennis L. Weisman examines the impact of transgender athletes on fairness in sports competitions. Weisman argues that allowing transgender athletes to compete in sports events that correspond with their gender identity rather than their biological sex creates an unfair advantage for them. The author suggests that sports competitions should be based on biological sex, and that transgender athletes should be required to undergo hormone therapy or surgery to compete in their preferred gender category. Weisman also criticizes the policies of sports organizations that have allowed transgender athletes to compete without taking into account the physical advantages they may have. Overall, the article presents a perspective that supports the exclusion of transgender athletes from sports competitions that correspond with their gender identity, and raises questions about how fairness can be maintained in a changing landscape of gender identity and sports.
  • The Cato Institute is a well-respected public policy research organization that conducts in-depth research on a variety of topics. The author, Dennis L. Weisman, is an economist and professor who has published numerous articles and books on sports economics and public policy. Additionally, the article goes through a rigorous peer-review process to ensure the accuracy and validity of its claims.

1: “Policies that permit transgender athletes to compete according to their gender identity may undermine fairness in sports competition and pose a threat to the participation of cisgender athletes.”

2: “In the absence of regulatory guidance and with the intense competition for victories, transgender athletes may gain an unfair advantage by leveraging their biological advantages acquired before transitioning, despite testosterone suppression or other hormone therapies.”

(Dennis L. Weisman)

Transgender Athletes Competing at a High Level

William Kwan

International Olympic Committee. “IOC Releases Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations.” Olympics.com, 9 April 2021, https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-releases-framework-on-fairness-inclusion-and-non-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-gender-identity-and-sex-variations.

  • The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has released a framework that promotes fairness, inclusion, and non-discrimination in sports based on gender identity and sex variations. The framework was developed in consultation with various stakeholders, including athletes, medical experts, and human rights organizations, and aims to provide guidance to sports organizations on how to create a more inclusive environment for all athletes. The framework emphasizes principles such as respect for an athlete’s self-identified gender, protection from harassment and abuse, and access to appropriate medical care. The IOC’s framework is based on scientific evidence and international human rights standards, and aims to balance the rights and needs of all athletes. This represents a significant step towards greater inclusion and diversity in sports and has been widely welcomed by advocacy groups and experts. The framework sets a positive example for other sports organizations to follow, promoting an environment of respect and equality for all athletes, regardless of their gender identity or sex variations.
  • The article is a press release from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), an organization responsible for overseeing the organization of the Olympic Games and promoting sportsmanship among athletes. As an official communication from the IOC, it is considered a credible source, and the article also demonstrates the organization’s commitment to evidence-based decision-making and consultation with experts and stakeholders.
  1. “Through the Framework, the IOC is committed to ensuring that all athletes can compete in a safe, inclusive and respectful environment, free from any form of discrimination and with the full recognition of their human rights.”
  2. “The Framework is based on the latest scientific evidence and international human rights standards and aims to balance the right to participate in sport with the right to compete in fair and meaningful competitions.”
(INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE)

Jovian, Karim. 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman in Hijab

Donya Ishaq

Jovian, Karim. 10 Hours of Walking in NYC as a Woman in Hijab YouTube, 28 Oct. 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuZVJNC5FNk.

In this video, Jovian Kareem does a social experiment on how men treat women who abide by the Ismaic dress code and those who don’t. When the lady wore tight-fitting clothing and did not observe the hijab, she was subject to cat-calling and harassment. On the other hand, when she  covered up, she received little to no catcalls. This raw footage of a woman walking in the streets of New York will be beneficial for my research paper because it shows how women are treated on a daily basis. This would also support my thesis by demonstrating the reality of how women are objectified and sexualized based on their clothing choices. It provides evidence that women who abide by the Islamic dress-code are not reduced to mere objects by men. It shows that modesty can be a means of empowerment, allowing women to take control of their bodies and reject objectification.I will not be justifying the actions of the men in this video, rather highlighting the difference in their behavior when a woman is covered up. 

  • “Yo I’m watchin that a**” (1:06)
  • “Ay Mami” (1:02)

Al Talei , Rafiah, et al. “Hijab in Iran: From Religious to Political Symbol”

Donya Ishaq

Al Talei , Rafiah, et al. “Hijab in Iran: From Religious to Political Symbol”. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 13 Oct. 2022, https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/88152.

Rafiah Al Talei demonstrates the consequences of enforcing strict dress codes to people who reject them. Following the death of Mahsa Amini, many Iranians created full-scale protests against the regime. She highlights how this is not a new occurrence, rather Iranian women have been fighting for their freedom of rights for a long time. Al Talei emphasizes that this is not an isolated incident, as Iranian women have been waging a struggle for their rights and liberties for a considerable period of time. I will be using this source in my essay to present an alternative view that abiding by the Islamic notion of modesty is not always a choice. Although many women choose to be modest, it is important to address that many are forced to do so. 

  • “The death of Mahsa Amini on September 16, three days after her arrest by the morality police in Tehran, prompted the spread of large-scale protests in Iran” (Al Talei)
  • “Across the world, the hijab is a personal religious choice made by women. In Iran, however, it was transformed into a symbol of oppression and marginalization.” (Al Talei)

Al Jazeera. “A ‘law against Islam’: France votes to ban hijab for under-18s.”

Donya Ishaq

Al Jazeera. “A ‘law against Islam’: France votes to ban hijab for under-18s.” 9 April 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/9/a-law-against-islam.

This news article provides an overview of the proposed law in France that would ban the wearing of the hijab for girls under 18 in public. The article explores the controversy surrounding the proposed law, including criticisms from Muslim women’s rights groups who argue that the ban is a form of patriarchal oppression that denies girls and young women the right to choose how they dress and express their religious identity. The article includes quotes from politicians, activists, and Muslim women who have differing opinions on the issue. This article will serve to illustrate the irony of Western perspectives on the hijab, which often view it as a tool for enforcing patriarchal norms, despite the proposed ban on wearing the hijab for young women being seen as imposing yet another form of patriarchal control.

  • “The French Senate’s move comes as part of Paris’s push to introduce a so-called “anti-separatism” bill which it says aims to bolster the country’s secular system, but critics have denounced, arguing it singles out the minority Muslim population.” (Al Jazeera)
  • “Age to consent to sex in France: 15 Age to consent to hijab: 18 Let that sink in. It isn’t a law against the hijab. It’s a law against Islam. #Handsoffmyhijab #FranceHijabBan,” one Twitter user wrote. (Al Jazeera)

Shalit, Wendy. A Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue

Donya Ishaq

Shalit, Wendy. A Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue. Touchstone, 1999.

This book by Wendy Shalit argues that the feminist movement’s emphasis on sexual liberation has had a negative impact on women, and that a return to traditional values of modesty and sexual restraint could benefit both women and society as a whole. Shalit graduated from Williams College with a degree in Philosophy and has also studied at Cambridge University in England. She draws on a range of sources, including philosophy, literature, and psychology, to support her arguments and provide evidence for her claims. Her book is a valuable resource for my research paper since it provides direct evidence in support of my thesis that modesty has positive social and cultural implications. 

  • “It is only by recognizing the importance of modesty that we can hope to create a world in which women and men are treated with respect and dignity.”(239) 
  • “Modesty, properly understood, is not about shame or self-denial. It is about a healthy and appropriate expression of sexuality.” (6)
  • “The message of modesty is that sexuality is not the only or even the most important aspect of our identity. We are more than our sexual desires, and we should strive to express ourselves in a way that reflects our full humanity.” (40)

Pappas, Stephanie. “Our Brains See Men as Whole and Women as Parts. Evolution Might Underlie the Different Processing of Female versus Male Bodies. Both Genders Do It.”

Donya Ishaq

Pappas, Stephanie. “Our Brains See Men as Whole and Women as Parts. Evolution Might Underlie the Different Processing of Female versus Male Bodies. Both Genders Do It.” LiveScience, 25 July 2012, www.livescience.com/21902-women-objectified-brain.html.

In this article which is published in Scientific American, a publication that covers scientific research in news, it highlights research showing that the brain processes images of men as whole beings, while images of women are processed as individual body parts. This phenomenon is referred to as “objectification,” which contributes to the sexualization of women. This will be useful to my thesis because it provides scientific evidence that men tend to sexualize women and dressing modestly can be used to avoid being objectified. 

  • “When viewing female images, participants were better at recognizing individual parts than they were matching whole-body photographs to the originals. The opposite was true for male images: People were better at recognizing a guy as a whole than they were his individual parts.”(Pappas)
  • “People were also better at discerning women’s individual body parts than they were at men’s individual body parts, further confirming the local processing, or objectification, that was happening.” (Pappas)

Werner, Kelly. “The Problem with Modesty”

Donya Ishaq

Werner, Kelly. “The Problem with Modesty.” Christians for Biblical Equality International, 2016.

In this opinion piece by Kelly Werner, she critiques the traditional concept of modesty, which she believes places the burden of sexual purity solely on women. She asserts that the focus on women’s clothing and behavior perpetuates harmful stereotypes and promotes a culture of victim-blaming. Kelly Werner has a masters in Christian Studies and has written various Christian publications. Incorporating this article into my thesis can strengthen my argument by presenting a counter-perspective on the traditional concept of modesty and how it can be harmful. This approach can enhance the persuasiveness of my argument by acknowledging and addressing opposing views, rather than dismissing them entirely. Therefore, I can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topic and present a more nuanced and convincing argument.

  • “I must honor men by covering my body so they don’t fall into sin.” (Werner)
  • “Women’s worth is reduced to inches. The inches of skin revealed below our necks. The inches beyond our fingertips extended at our sides.” (Werner)