Social Media and the Impact on Perception of Self & Body Image from a Research Perspective with Gemma Sharp

In this week's podcast, Han is joined by Associate Professor Gemma Sharp. Gemma is an Associate Professor of Research at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia and leads the Body Image & Eating Disorders Research Group. Gemma is also a Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Statewide Women's Mental Health Service at Alfred Health, which has specialist eating disorder treatment facilities. In this week's episode, we discuss the following:

• Gemma's personal development within her career and how she came to researching social media, body image and eating disorders.

• The importance of peer support and clinical support for eating disorders and body image concerns.

• The impact that social media can have on our eating and exercise behaviours e.g. what I eat in a day.

• The role that social media influences could have in promoting positive eating and exercise behaviours, and how researchers, clinicians, and influences can do this together in an accessible way through science communication.

• How image-based platforms, editing photos, the use of filters, and the increase in "selfies" have altered our perception of self and the impact this has had on desires seen in domestic surgeries.

• The impact that social media has on our perception of our own bodies and BMI, and how we can work to increase the diversity of body types on social media.

• Characteristics that Gemma has noticed may make someone more susceptible to the negative consequences of social media.

• Gemma's tips for navigating social media to make it a positive space that provides a pleasurable experience, rather than making you feel worse.

• How clinicians can promote the use of social media through digital mental health initiatives, and how novel technology like AI can support this.

To learn more about Gemma's research, you can find her on Twitter @gemmasharp11 or search "Gemma Sharp Monash University" on Google. Please note that this podcast discusses eating disorder topics that some individuals may find triggering. Please check in with yourself along the way, and remember this is not a replacement for clinical support and advice.