Research Brief Example Essays

INST 466 Fa 20 Week 5 Research Brief Example Essays

Example 1
            On a daily basis, millions of people interact with social media platforms, whether it’s to connect with friends, business purposes, or entertainment. For much of society, social media is just an outlet to catch up with others, but to others, there are underlying connotations and messages that oppress certain groups, including the transgender and genderfluid community. Certain features on social media platforms, like names and memories, that may seem mundane and unimportant, can have profound effects on transgender and genderfluid folks. Snapchat’s memories feature and gender swap filters are not gender inclusive, can be harmful to the transgender and genderfluid community, and therefore should be removed.

The first feature that should be removed is the memories feature, which notifies the user of a picture or video saved on that day from years prior. As described by White, “‘On this day’ algorithms remind users of the past”, and while some may be positive, there is always the possibility it will be harmful. Specifically in the transgender community, the past can trigger harsh mental health episodes, or psychologically mess with someone’s feelings. Many in this community work toward being their authentic self, and memories can sometimes setback or destroy the progress they have made both mentally and physically. To many, this feature is just another aspect of the app, but since it can be so harmful and devastating, it should be removed to provide a more comforting and safe community for everyone.

The second feature that Snapchat developed last year, is the gender swapping filters. While a seemingly lighthearted feature, it diminishes the legitimacy and reality of trans folks lives and experiences. This perpetuates the idea that changing genders is as easy as putting on a filter, and delegitimizes the mental and physical tolls that come with transitioning. Although it is likely that this was not ill-intentioned, it makes changing genders seem trivial and perpetuates misconceptions about the trans and genderfluid communities. Thus, Snapchat should remove these filters out of respect for this community.

Though only about .6% of the American population identify with the transgender and genderfluid community, that is still 1.8 million people that could be negatively affected by these features. In order to provide spaces for these communities to feel safe and welcome, we need to address the systemic and societal barriers in their way, including through social media and online presences. On Snapchat specifically, removing the gender swap filter and memories feature will create a more gender inclusive space that reduces discomfort, mental health afflictions, and psychological issues. Though this is just a small suggestion, it is important to take small steps to help fight for a safer, and more inclusive society.

Example 2

The history of computing and gender categorization has continuously changed making an impact on how people are able to identify themselves. The number of people identifying themselves as transgender and non-binary continues to rise and impacts many with culturally constructed gender is. I use the app Snapchat almost every day and can see how it can be considered non-gender inclusive, it’s small details that you soon later realize is very big for someone else. One big criticism with Snapchat is how you’re not able to change your username once you make it the first time, this presents an issue for transgender and non-binary people having only one choice with what they choose to be referred to as.

Snapchat is a multimedia messaging app that is used heavily in this generation. The way Snapchat works is mostly based on appearance and how people want to be featured, which can be hard for many when being concerned with how they want to identify themselves. The username setting on Snapchat is one factor in how gender categorization has had an effect on many transgender and non-binary people. Once you create a username for yourself you’re stuck with it, so when you think about people who transition or are in the process, they’re stuck with a hardship. According to White’s article, “Not all trans people change their names, but for those who do, it’s a serious and significant decision that shouldn’t be sabotaged”(White 1). Your name is apart of you and how you may want to identify, so having the feature of not being to change that on your social media is taking a certain right away from you.

To make this more gender-inclusive, all Snapchat users should be allowed the option to change their username regardless of any circumstances. They should also be allowed no history to that name so no one can search it up and it’s still around for others to see. This also goes back to “deadnaming” which was stated in White’s article, this can put many people at risk and disrupt how they want to live their new life as what they want to be referred to as.