What if social media made us feel better about our bodies?

Australia just banned under-16s from social media. But does the ban address what's actually driving the problem? Social Media platforms shape how we see our bodies through curated self-presentation, constant comparison, filters, and personalised feeds designed to maximise time online, not confidence.

Jasmine Fardouly is one of the world's most-cited researchers on social media and body image. Her talk cuts through the noise: why does social media so often make us feel worse about how we look, and can it ever be designed to do the opposite?

Bio

Dr Jasmine Fardouly is a Senior Lecturer and Sydney Horizon Fellow in the School of Psychology at the University of Sydney, and one of the world's most-cited researchers on social media and body image. Named a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher three years running, placing her in the top 0.1% of scientists globally, her work shapes how platforms and policymakers think about the digital environments young people inhabit. In 2024 she was named NSW Young Tall Poppy of the Year for research impact and community engagement. She works with young people, industry, and government to make the internet a better place to be.

Event

Thursday 7 May, 6:30 – 7:15 PM @The Harold, 70A Ross St, Forest Lodge NSW 2037

The other talk at this location is The fascinating way diseases spread at 8:00 – 8:45 PM