Virginia Braun's research primarily explores the impact of social media on women's health and body image.

Virginia Braun studies how social media shapes women’s perceptions of health and beauty. She looks at how images and comments online can influence body satisfaction and eating habits, linking these effects to real health outcomes. By collecting data from surveys and interviews, she shows that repeated exposure to idealized images can lower self‑esteem and trigger disordered eating. For instance, a study she ran found that women who spent more than three hours a day on Instagram were twice as likely to report body dissatisfaction. Her work helps explain why online platforms can be both a source of support and a risk factor for women’s well‑being.