The Melissa Institute Announces 29th Annual Conference: The Social Media Challenge – Research-Based Strategies to Protect Minds and Strengthen Communities
TMI’s 29th Annual Conference: The Social Media Challenge: Research-Based Strategies to Protect Minds and Strengthen Communities
March 24, 2025The Power of Youth Development Programs: Lessons from the 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development
April 9, 2025Media Contact:
Cristina Fonseca, Office Manager & Communications Coordinator
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The Melissa Institute Announces 29th Annual Conference: The Social Media Challenge – Research-Based Strategies to Protect Minds and Strengthen Communities
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (April 7, 2025) —
As concerns about social media’s impact on youth mental health intensify, The Melissa Institute is taking action. The nationally recognized nonprofit, known for bridging the gap between research and application, will host its 29th Annual Conference, The Social Media Challenge: Research-Based Strategies to Protect Minds and Strengthen Communities, on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET via Zoom.
The full-day virtual event brings together an international panel of experts in psychology, education and technology from the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. The conference will equip parents, educators, clinicians, school officials, nonprofit leaders and policymakers with evidence-based tools to support youth mental health and create safer digital environments.
“The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and we need trusted, sciencebased strategies to help our youth thrive,” said Dr. Etiony Aldarondo, Executive Director of The Melissa Institute. “This conference creates a space for collaboration, connection and action.”
The event is part of the Institute’s Social Media Safety & Mental Health Initiative, launched in response to the U.S. surgeon general’s advisory identifying social media as a “profound risk of harm” to adolescents. During the conference, attendees will also learn about Project Real USA, a key component of the initiative and a sister program to the original evidence-based Project Real from the U.K. Created by Dr. Yvonne Skipper, senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Glasgow and a member of The Melissa Institute’s Scientific Board, Project Real teaches students critical skills to identify and address misinformation online. With growing concerns over the spread of fake news, the program offers valuable tools to help navigate today’s complex information landscape. Ahead of the conference, Dr. Skipper will visit Miami to meet with local schools and community organizations interested in implementing the Project Real USA program.
Registration for the conference is free and open to the public. Continuing education credits are available for psychologists, school psychologists, educators, licensed clinical social workers, licensed mental health counselors, and licensed marriage and family therapists. Learn more and save your spot by visiting: https://melissainstitute.org/29thannualconference/
In addition to the upcoming conference, the Institute offers free social media safety training for parents, educators and school staff year-round, available both virtually and in person. To request training or to meet with Dr. Skipper during her Miami visit, email info@melissainstitute.org. To access all of the Institute’s free resources, visit the TMI Link Library: https://linktr.ee/themelissainstitute
About The Melissa Institute
The Melissa Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 65-0683088) dedicated to preventing violence and promoting safe, resilient communities through research, education, consultation, and community support.
