Homework due 11/13

6 Comments

1. 

   adrianf

   November 12, 2024 at 12:20 am

   Randi Bass, Effects of Social Media on teens and tweens”, DC News NOW, 2022, INTERVIEW: The Effects of Social Media on Teen and Tweens

   This video features psychotherapist Lena Derhally discussing recent findings on social media’s impact on teen mental health, highlighting that teens/tweens, especially, are more vulnerable to its negative effects during specific developmental stages. She explains that teens’ developing brains make them more susceptible to social comparison, often leading to body dysmorphia, low self-esteem, and mental health issues. Derhally suggests delaying social media use for young kids and setting limits for teens, as the negative impacts outweigh the positive impacts. It also emphasizes the importance of in-person social connections and helping teens recognize that online content isn’t always an accurate reflection of reality.

   I feel like what psychotherapist Lena Derhally said broadened my understanding of how social media impacts teens mental health. I say this because I forgot that during certain ages, the brain goes through specific developmental stages which makes it more susceptible to how negatively social media can impact your brain. I didn’t think of this and can see why my parents never let me play too much on the internet when I was younger. I feel like Lena Derhally was very straight to the point and straight forward which makes the interview pretty educational. Being straightforward is a lot better than dragging the key takeaways on and providing misinformation. I feel like I learned a lot more from this interview than I have on the other articles. The reason I say this is because she’s a psychotherapist; she specializes in the brain and mental health and I can see from how Lena Derhally said “teens constantly compare themselves to other people and see false narratives about other people.” It goes to show how Lena Derhally really understands the topic she’s discussing and ensures a credible source. Although, she also leans more towards the negative side of the spectrum and not the positive side like the blog I read about. Ultimately, Lena Derhally perfectly explains the impact that social media has on teenagers during specific developmental stages and the results are crazy.

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2. 

   Al

   November 12, 2024 at 10:55 pm

   PART 1: Citation.

   Walker, Adam J., et al. “Statins: Neurobiological underpinnings and mechanisms in mood disorders.” Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, vol. 128, Sept. 2021, pp. 693–708, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.012.

   PART 2: Summary.

   • Walker et al. 2021 focuses on the pathophysiology of mood disorders with a focus on pharmacology methods, using major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder as examples. While this may sound complicated, it simply means the paper will talk about the physiological and pathological effects of mood disorders under a pharmacological lense. The main focus of this study is satins in the context of mood disorders; Statins are reductase inhibitors used to treat dyslipidemia, known as high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease by inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis, the process by which cells produce cholesterol. Statins also have immunomodulatory, referring to altering the body’s immune response, and anti-inflammatory properties, referring to reducing swelling. Beyond cardiovascular disease, cholesterol and inflammation appear to be components of the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Thus, it can be concluded that statins may have some therapeutic benefit in mood disorders. According to the paper, recent data suggests that statins may have antidepressant properties, “however given their interactions with many known biological pathways, it has not been fully elucidated which of these are the major determinants of clinical outcomes in mood disorder,” meaning that it is unknown what exactly the antidepressant effects result from since statins affect so many different things. More trials and investigations are required to better understand statins and their potential effects on mood disorders, along with what biological effects translate into that.
   • Statins are among the most prescribed medications worldwide, but are still not clearly understood and have been misunderstood in the past. A prime example of this ‘misunderstanding’ is back when statin use was reported to be associated with increases in mood disturbances, such as aggression, impulsivity, and suicide, which were all attributed to statins reducing evoked potential indexed brain serotonin. More recent studies have shown that, generally, statins neither increase nor decrease risk of violence or emotional disturbances, and may instead have beneficial effects on neuropsychiatric disorders. Evidence that supports this conclusion is provided in a cited study where analyses of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of statins on psychology where improvements in depressive symptoms had been noted, particularly in patients with clinical depression.
   • Statins are not all positive, however, and have been reported to cause side-effects including fatigue, myopathies and neurocognitive defects. Other adverse effects such as muscle symptoms, sleep disturbances, erectile dysfunction, and cognitive impairment, “were only statistically significant compared to placebo only when doctors and patients knew what was prescribed, suggesting a dominant effect of the nocebo reaction in statin side-effects.” Another recent paper has also re-challenged the idea that the vast majority of statin’s negative effects are due to nocebo, the opposite of placebo, instead of actual pharmaceutical effects. The paper suggests that confidence in the use of statins may increase by considering preclinical rodent data, which indicate that statins influence pathways implicated in the neuroprogressive nature of major depression which may translate over to humans.
   • The paper concludes by stating that statins while early studies concluded that the use of statins had negative consequences, more modern research suggests that statins may have properties that can help treat mood disorders.

   Part 3: Analysis.

   • As stated in the paper, statins are among the most prescribed medications in the world. To put this into scale, more than 92 million adults take statins in the US. Despite this, we still still lack understanding of statins and the many ways they affect us. Statins have a wide range of effects, most relating to their roles as reductase inhibitors and their primary use of preventing cardiovascular disease. This relates to mood disorders in two ways: 1. Statins are shown to have positive effects on treating mood disorders; and 2. The effect that statins are expected to have means that mood disorders aren’t limited to the brain, but also to the balance of the rest of the body. As discussed prior, potential causes of mood disorders include issues with regions of the brain and glial disorders, but statin opens up the possibility that the rest of the body may be involved in the forming of mood disorders.

   Part 4: Quotes.

   • “Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors) are among the most prescribed medications worldwide. Understanding the extent of their biological effects and clinical utility is thus critical.”
   • “Individuals with depression exhibit aberrant immune-inflammatory processes and neuro-oxidative stress toxicity which may be partly ameliorated by the use of statins.”
   • “There is the problem of identifying suitable candidates for adjunctive statin treatment. It is widely acknowledged that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach for treatment, especially when it comes to psychiatric mood disorders.”

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3. 

   Nathan

   November 18, 2024 at 1:05 pm

   Priolo, Teresa. “Hate Crimes Rise in NYC Every Year Since 2020.” FOX 5 NY, New York State Comptroller’s Office Report, 2023.

   The article highlights a troubling increase in hate crimes across New York, with a 12.7% rise in 2023 alone and a 69% surge since 2019. It details how hate crimes disproportionately target specific groups, including Jewish individuals (477 incidents), Black individuals (183), and gay men (130). Anti-Semitic hate crimes rose by 13% in 2023, while anti-Black crimes accounted for 17% of all incidents. Crimes motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias also rose sharply, with a 141% increase in incidents against gay men and a 140% increase in crimes against transgender individuals since 2019. Despite a drop in anti-Asian hate crimes from their pandemic peak, the numbers remain significantly higher than pre-2019 levels. The report emphasizes the role of data in combating hate, urging collaboration between political, community, and business leaders to address bigotry through prevention, education, and accountability.

   The article effectively draws attention to the alarming rise in hate crimes and provides compelling statistics to back its claims, but it leaves room for a deeper exploration of root causes and solutions. I found the data regarding the 69% overall increase in hate crimes since 2019 and the specific targeting of Jewish individuals, Black individuals, and gay men particularly disturbing. The sentence, “Fighting hatred and bigotry demands that we communicate with, respect, and accept our neighbors,” resonates strongly as a call to action, but the article could have expanded on actionable steps for community members and local leaders to take beyond general appeals for education and collaboration.

   The use of real-world accounts, such as a New Yorker’s testimony about their father being assaulted for being Jewish, adds emotional weight to the statistical data. However, while these anecdotes highlight the human impact of hate crimes, the article could have benefitted from delving into systemic factors, such as the role of social media or economic disparities, that fuel such crimes. The writing style is accessible and emotionally charged, which makes the information impactful but at times veers toward generalizations. The reliance on government data enhances its credibility, but the lack of detailed analysis limits its usefulness for devising specific strategies.

   “Fighting hatred and bigotry demands that we communicate with, respect, and accept our neighbors.”

   “Between 2019 and 2023, hate crime incidents grew in New York City by 59.3% and more rapidly in the rest of the state by 87.5%.”

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4. 

   Ernesto

   November 19, 2024 at 8:50 pm

   CTE: The silent killer in contact sports | Emer MacSweeney | TEDxAthens

   Brain expert Dr. Emer MacSweeney discusses the most feared risk for amateur and professional contact sports players in this TED talk. She begins by briefly explaining how contact sports athletes are more vulnerable to CTE, which can lead to severe cognitive decline and personality changes. She further discusses how both amateur and professional players must become more aware of the consequences that can occur while participating in contact sports, also noting that the effect of contact sports on the brain tends to be overlooked. We also learn that athletes suffer injuries in contact sports & often try to play through the injury instead of taking the proper time to heal. This constant exposure to head trauma can worsen the damage to the brain. Dr.Emer suggests that athletes prioritize their health instead of the sport, as athletes tend to put the sport first then their health which can lead to major health implications as their career continues. She also calls on the coaches and organizations to make the right decisions for their player’s health.

   I agree with Dr. Emer on the dangers of contact sports, but I believe the author didn’t go into enough detail when explaining the brain damage that occurs from contact sports and how long it takes to affect individuals. This could lead to misinterpretation, making people believe it will affect them at the beginning of their careers. Aside from this, Dr. Emer does a great job explaining how head trauma can lead to dementia and CTE.

   This TED talk serves as a wake-up call to anyone looking to compete in physical contact sports. Instead of scaring them away, she finds it important to explain the dangers so players can avoid damage before it is too late. This wasn’t a wake-up call purely for athletes but also for their coaches and organizations to assist these players in prioritizing their health and creating a safer environment in contact sports.

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   • 

     Ernesto

     November 19, 2024 at 8:52 pm

     For paragraph 2 I meant she didn’t go into enough detail on how the brain damage occurs.

     Reply
5. 

   Malik Olalekan

   November 29, 2024 at 6:21 pm

   Part 1 Citation

   Ascione, Laura. “The Impact of Technology on Education.” eSchoolNews, 2023,

   The journalist Laura Ascione wrote important news and ideas about the impact of the internet and technology on education. She spoke about how educational technology has become an integral part of classrooms, influencing teaching methodologies, student interactions, and the overall educational landscape. She talked about how education is changing, from interactive digital resources to online learning platforms, technology has given educators innovative tools to create dynamic and inclusive learning environments. She stated how students have benefited from increased access to information, personalized learning experiences, and opportunities for collaboration, while at the same time artificial intelligence an avenue for academic dishonesty and will harm students’ individual and critical thinking skills.

   Part 2 Summary

        The journalist wrote about how technology is affecting students negatively and the consequences that are being faced from overuse of the internet and technological medium. As quoted from the news article, the journalist wrote that “Prolonged screen time and sedentary behavior associated with technology use can contribute to health issues such as eye strain, disrupted sleep patterns, and a sedentary lifestyle, leading to obesity and related problems”. To be able to contribute properly in a classroom or to be able to learn, one has to be psychologically active, long hours of screen time leading to eye straining or distraction to sleep contribute badly to that. The addiction to technology devices and internet is a great problem in the world right now, inputting that into the educational system without a clear regulation control would be substandard.

   Summary and Analysis     

    The journalist, Laura Ascione did not fail to give beautiful impacts technology has had on the education system and I quote from her news article, she said “Technology has profoundly impacted education, upending traditional teaching methods and reshaping today’s learning landscape”, Laura was correct about the positive impact the technology had and is having the the school system, technology has created easy to access to information through Online resources, educational websites,digital libraries, etc. Other ways the technology and internet has impacted the education system is by promoting interactive and engaging learning, flexibility in learning, enhanced communication, promotion of twenty-first century skills etc. The world is turning digital, so it will only make sense that students are equipped with enough skills.

         In most cases anything with an advantage would definitely have a simultaneous disadvantage or effect, in the case of technology, internet or artificial intelligence in the education system, there is no exception, overuse of technology, internet or artificial intelligence creates a really big problem in students and society. Laura spoke more on how technology has a negative effect on the schooling system, and I quote, “There’s a risk of overreliance on technology, with educators relying too heavily on digital tools at the expense of traditional teaching methods. This could potentially hinder the development of certain foundational skills”. Overreliance on technology from a very young age can have a great effect on children’s development in so many ways, socially, psychologically etc. which becomes a habit and slowly into addiction although parents can be blamed for that. Additionally, excessive use of technology, particularly in the form of social media, can contribute to social isolation. People may want to spend more time interacting online than in face-to-face social settings.

   Part 4 Quote

   One quote from the author that I feel really exemplifies the document’s claims or interpretations is “Technology in education, such as online courses and educational apps, has expanded learning opportunities globally”. 

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