New, First-of-its-Kind Program Empowers Early Age Children in Santa Fe, New Mexico to Learn, Discuss, and Gain Critical Knowledge Around Cyber Bullying and Safety
Mindfulbytes, a groundbreaking initiative by Merek Security Solutions, equips K-5th grade youth with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly
Santa Fe, New Mexico – April 24, 2024 – Merek Security Solutions, a BIPOC and Veteran-owned cybersecurity firm, today announced the launch of Mindfulbytes, an innovative program designed to provide digital literacy and online safety education to K-5 students across New Mexico. This initiative, made possible through the support of a leading technology company, brings critical topics such as privacy, security, ethics, and online empathy into classrooms statewide through simulations, lessons, and workshops specially designed for young audiences.
In collaboration with local educational institutions and community organizations, Merek Security has developed a multifaceted program with a first-of-its-kind K-5 Cyber Ethics Curriculum designed to cultivate safe digital citizenship skills early on. The program includes training for over 100 teachers and administrators, cybersecurity workshops, and in-classroom activities directly impacting over 5,000 New Mexico students annually. Merek Security's expertise in cybersecurity and cyberpsychology research and development, combined with its partners' experience in educational programming, makes for an ideal team in such a socially impactful initiative.
"We are excited to introduce the Mindfulbytes program, which is currently underway in the form of online courses, in-person workshops, and mentorship programs." said Michael Davis, CEO and Founder of Merek Security. "Our passion for integrating principles from behavioral psychology into our cybersecurity training has given us the foundational knowledge and tools to properly educate youth ages 8-9 who are too young to be on the Internet, but too old not to know about it."
More on Cybersecurity for Kids
This initiative addresses a recognized need in the community for advanced education to improve the quality of life for children navigating a digital landscape. By leveraging Merek's expertise in cybersecurity best practices, cyberpsychology research, and skills-based education, Mindfulbytes is poised to impact New Mexico's future significantly. The added support from a prominent tech industry leader contributes to the program's success, and positively influences the well-being of children, communities, and the broader online landscape.
Davis further explained, "Our goal is to provide comprehensive digital literacy education grounded in psychological research and tailored to the developmental needs of elementary students. This will equip them with the mindset and skills for positive, safe technology use from a young age."
Mindfulbytes is committed to creating a robust and adaptable model that not only addresses the current challenges of child online safety, but also ensures sustainable and scalable impact in the long term. The program will continue to establish partnerships with local schools, community organizations, and businesses to promote cyber literacy and foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness across New Mexico.
To learn more: https://www.merek.io/
About Merek Security Solutions: Merek Security Solutions, LLC is a cybersecurity business and data privacy firm providing information security advisory services to some of the most innovative and emerging tech and data privacy companies.
About Mindfulbytes: Mindfulbytes aims to empower New Mexico's youth with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Through online courses, in-person workshops, and mentorship programs, Mindfulbytes provides children in underserved communities with the tools to protect their personal information and avoid online threats.
About Michael Davis: Michael C. Davis, the visionary CEO and Founder of Merek Security Solutions, is transforming the cybersecurity landscape by revolutionizing industry practices. With a remarkable background spanning over 22 years in the United States Navy and extensive experience in Information Security with prestigious companies like Boeing, IBM, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Michael has garnered widespread acclaim for his cross-sector expertise and technical proficiency in technology markets and mindfulness-based cybersecurity practices.