Erin Walsh
Erin Walsh, M.A. is a dynamic, knowledgeable speaker who has addressed a wide range of audiences on topics related to brain development and raising resilient young people in the digital age. Erin was instrumental to the development of the MediaWise movement and enjoyed working with her father for the past 10 years at the National Institute on Media and the Family before creating Mind Positive Parenting in 2010. Erin presents on the powerful role of media in youth and children’s lives and explains how to use this information to understand, communicate with and stay connected with young people.
In addition to working with Mind Positive Parenting, Erin does speaking and training for Search Institute, the new home of the National Institute on Media and the Family's products and resources. She also teaches undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota and the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs (HECUA), an off-campus study organization dedicated to education for social justice. In her work with HECUA, she is Program Director of a program for undergraduate students called Making Media, Making Change based in Minneapolis, MN.
Erin currently serves on the board of YMCA Camp Widjiwagan, a wilderness-based youth development program and has consulted with schools, school districts, parent groups and other youth serving organizations throughout the country on issues related to digital media, children, youth. She lives in Minneapolis, MN with her partner, one year old son, and husky dog.
Most requested topics:
Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain
No, Why Kids - of All Ages - Need to Hear it and Ways Parents Can Say It
From Online Safety to Digital Citizenship: Raising Kids in an Online World
Jolts and Tricks: Unpacking the Power of Media
The Character Challenge: Nurturing Resilience and Citizenship in 21st Century Youth
What audiences say about Erin
“Erin Walsh is a fantastic speaker and I recommend her without reservation. She knows her content and delivers it convincingly and tactfully. Her style is dynamic and methodical. The audience found her to be highly engaging. If you are considering Erin for your events I have full confidence that you will be as pleased as I am.”
- Adam Seaman, Director, Youth Philanthropy Initiative
"Erin's presentation on Raising MediaWise kids was well received by our community. She was able to capture a wide audience, applying her message for parents of pre-K to high school-age children. Erin was great to work with - she went above and beyond our expectations."
- Megan Devine, Kindergarten teacher, Ely Early Childhood Coalition coordinator
"Erin Walsh presented information about adolescent brain development and the effects of media on our children. As a behavioral pediatrician, I found her presentation to be incredibly informative and well delivered, making complex and difficult information palatable and understandable. All of our parents were completely engaged during her lecture and found it very impactful for them as to how they would approach parenting their teens in this time of technologically-driven culture. We (parents) are still talking about her presentation. "
- Dr. Timothy Johanson
“Cargill brings in many speakers to talk to employees about important issues. Erin Walsh ranks with the best. She delivered great information and practical advice in an engaging style. Not many speakers can connect with the audience and leave them wondering where the time went!”
- Keith Tvedten, Cargill Human Resources
Erin as a guest on Speak Your Mind - Technology, Social Media and Kids
Erin had a blast with the youth in Ontario at the Southwest Youth in Action Summit