Michael Mercier is President of Screen Education, which provides research, seminars and consulting on the impact of information technology on human optimization and well-being.
His research and seminars examine the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical consequences of smartphone addiction, its impact on academic performance and workplace productivity, safety and conflict, approaches to mitigating the problem, and the benefit people derive from digital detoxes. He also examines the impact of the news media on the public, including its polarizing effect, and the use of AI to maximize self-directed learning.
Mr. Mercier has delivered keynotes, webinars, and seminars to schools, corporate audiences, industry associations, colleges and summer camps, and at many conferences. He also has presented his research to members of Congress and to the legislative aids to numerous senators, and he testified before the Ohio Senate regarding school phone ban legislation. Congressman Wenstrup made a House floor speech about his findings on cyberbullying, and he co-organized with the Congressman a roundtable discussion with educators on the role that social media plays in bullying and school violence.
His seminars are rich in deep, wholly original insights, presented using clear, enlightening, thought-crystallizing frameworks, and they convey practical solutions that can be implemented immediately.
Mr. Mercier brings to his research and seminars prior experience in business consulting, market research, software, and as a marketing manager, editor and publisher in newspaper, magazine, and textbook publishing. He holds a BA in Psychology from Vassar College, an MBA in Marketing from University of Michigan, and an MS in MIS from the University of Cincinnati.