Led by a Florida A&M grad, the Social Media Research Institute has submitted a proposal to The Joint Select  Committee on Social Media and Australian Society to have research on social media’s effects published in the Parliament of Australia.

Parliamentary committees investigate specific matters of policy, government administration, or performance. They provide an opportunity for organizations and individuals to participate in policymaking, have their views placed on the public record, and be considered as part of the decision-making process.

SMRI has already been impacting America’s legislative decision-making. On July 19, SMRI’s Director of Clinical Research, Jonathan M Wicks, introduced Social Media First Aid and Social Media Harm Reduction to Assistant Majority Whip Senator Susan Rubio via an Informational Hearing with the Senate Select Committee on School Climate and Student Safety, addressing mental health.

SMRI’s work was previously endorsed by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health in its Public Health Ambassador program, which integrated components of Social Media First Aid, an innovative initiative aimed at equipping individuals and communities (e.g. students, parents, and professionals) with the skills and knowledge to navigate and mitigate negative experiences on social media platforms. This was LAC DPH’s first Social Media Safety presentation, with future offerings made available by request through the Los Angeles County Speaker’s Bureau.

SMRI’s approach aligns with Florida’s new law, providing insights and solutions for protecting children from social media harms. The method’s application focuses on the “whole self” of the social media user addressing the social media persona.

Florida recently implemented a new law, effective Jan. 1, 2025, to prevent children under 16 from opening social media accounts without parental consent, with stricter age verification measures. The Florida Attorney General’s office has proposed rules to enforce the law, sparking debate over First Amendment rights and the constitutionality of age-verification schemes for internet use.

House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, emphasized the need for such regulations, citing the “harms to children from social media” and arguing that the state “can no longer stand on the sidelines because of what we know.” However, critics, including tech-industry groups, have challenged the law’s constitutionality, arguing that “age-verification schemes for the internet are blatantly unconstitutional” and infringe on First Amendment rights.

SMRI’s managing partner and founder, Jonathan N. Bertrand, a former Florida A&M University student, discussed the bill and emphasized the importance of considering nuanced approaches to social media regulation.

“Forcing a ban on social media may seem like a quick fix, but it’s a short-sighted approach that fails to address the root causes of the issue. Instead, we need proactive interventions that empower individuals to navigate the digital landscape safely. Social Media Harm Reduction offers a viable solution that prioritizes education, support, and collaboration,” Bertrand said.

When asked about collaborations with FAMU, Bertrand said, “A Social Media Research Institute can offer a prestigious university like Florida A&M University valuable resources for pioneering studies on the impact of social media. This includes examining established norms and addressing mental and behavioral health issues related to social media use. The institute could play a crucial role in developing a leading national/ global framework dedicated to understanding and mitigating the negative effects of social media.”

A common quote of Bertrand, “One post can change the mind, one comment can change a generation.”

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