David Walsh, Ph.D.

President and Founder

David Walsh, Ph.D. has emerged as one of the world’s leading authorities on parenting and the impact of media and technology on children’s health and development. He founded the internationally renowned National Institute on Media and the Family in 1996 and spearheads the Institute's efforts in education, research, and advocacy.

He is the author of nine books, including the national best sellers Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen and No: Why Kids – of All Ages – Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It. The latter book serves as the focal point of the Say Yes to No campaign which teaches parents and educators how to instill self-discipline in America’s children and ensure our kids our successful in school and life. Dr. Walsh has presented workshops to parents, educators, and other professionals throughout the world. A consultant to the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Education of Japan, he has testified before congressional committees on numerous occasions.

A frequent guest on national radio and television, Dr. Walsh has appeared on NBC’s Today Show, Good Morning America, The CBS Early Show, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, Dateline NBC, ABC’s 20/20, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition. He has been featured on three nationally broadcast PBS specials. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Council on Family Relation’s Friend of the Family Award.  

Dr. Walsh is on the faculty of the University of Minnesota, and has published many articles in the professional and general press. He is active in many professional associations and is a licensed psychologist in the State of Minnesota. He received his B.A. degree from Mt. Carmel College, his M.A. degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, and his Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota. He and his wife Monica live in Minneapolis and have three adult children.