About
Where Research Meets the Classroom
MindfulBytes was born from an unexpected journey — one that began in enterprise and military cybersecurity, led through the science of cyberpsychology, and arrived at a simple question: what if we taught children to notice how technology makes them feel?
The Story
Across 30 years protecting digital systems, from 21 years in the U.S. Navy to the Pentagon, Los Alamos, Boeing and IBM Watson Health (through Merek), Michael Davis came to a hard-won conclusion: the biggest cybersecurity vulnerability isn't technical — it's human. The way people feel about technology shapes every decision they make with it. That insight sparked a shift from cybersecurity to cyberpsychology — the study of how humans interact with digital technology at a psychological level.
Through doctoral research at Capitol Technology University and a fellowship at Harvard's Center for Digital Thriving, a pattern emerged: the habits that shape our digital lives start forming early — in elementary school. And the most powerful tool for building healthy digital habits isn't rules or restrictions. It's interoceptive awareness — the ability to notice what's happening inside your body.
MindfulBytes is the bridge between that research and real classrooms. It's a program of Merek Security Solutions, LLC, built from the firm's cyberpsychology research. That research is carried out through CCCR (the Center for Cybersecurity and Cyberpsychology Research), which produces the papers and academic work behind the program.
Our Team
Michael Davis
Founder & Program Director
Michael Davis completed a 2025–2026 Fellowship at the Center for Digital Thriving at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and is a doctoral candidate in Cyberpsychology at Capitol Technology University, where his research focuses on interoceptive awareness in children's digital environments, under the advisement of Dr. Sondria Miller.
He is the CEO of Merek Security Solutions, the cybersecurity consulting firm that operates MindfulBytes, and the Executive Director of CCCR, which carries out its research. With 30 years of cybersecurity practice, including 21 in the U.S. Navy and work at the Pentagon, Los Alamos, Boeing and IBM Watson Health (through Merek), Michael brings a unique combination of technical security expertise and psychological research to the challenge of children's digital wellness.
He is the author of CTRL+ALT+HAPPINESS (as M.C. Davis) and holds six industry certifications: CISSP, CISM, CGRC, CDPSE, CyberAB RP and CCSK.
Michael lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Seth Watkins
Director of Operations
Seth Watkins serves as Director of Operations, overseeing the operational execution of MindfulBytes programs and ensuring that the research-to-classroom pipeline runs smoothly. His focus on logistics, partner coordination, and program delivery keeps MindfulBytes running at the standard our school partners expect.
The Bigger Picture
MindfulBytes is part of a connected ecosystem — each piece strengthening the others.
MindfulBytes
The Program
“We help kids thrive”
Cyberpsychology Research
The Research
“We discover what matters”
Merek Security Solutions
The Business
“We protect organizations”