Burnet Institute
Research Field: Public Health
The emergence and expansion of mobile phone technologies and social networking sites has revolutionised how young people communicate. The impacts of the rapid social changes brought about by this new media are poorly understood.
Dr Lim’s research aims to understand the impact of these new technologies on young people’s health and wellbeing. Her research has identified increasing access to potentially harmful phenomena, including; pornography, sexting, dating apps, and alcohol advertising; but has also found that young people’s connections with their peers developed through new media may also offer positive experiences and outcomes.
Megan is passionate about communicating about science and public health, which has led to numerous media appearances, including on The Project, Triple J, ABC and Joy FM radio, working with youth-led community organisations co-design her research, as well as disseminating her results back to young people. Dr Lim received her PhD from Monash University in 2009, and is currently Deputy Program Director at Burnet Institute.