Speaker Information

Dr. Douglas Gentile is a highly sought-after speaker about media's effects on children, adolescents, and adults.  He speaks regularly to groups of parents, educators, medical and mental health professionals, and government and non-governmental agencies, both nationally and internationally.  An award-winning educator, he has spoken to small groups and to groups as large as 12,000 in keynote addresses, detailed breakout sessions, and full-day trainings.

  

Photo: Joanna Herr

  

Topics include:

  • Media and children's brain development
  • The multiple effects of media violence
  • The five dimensions of video game effects
  • Video games as exemplary teachers
  • Violent and prosocial video game effects
  • Screen time and obesity
  • The psychology of advertising (or, how ads work without our conscious awareness)
  • Beer advertising and youth drinking
  • How American health education must change
  • The problems with media rating systems
  • Pathological computer/video game use (aka "video game addiction")
  • Media and school readiness and school performance
  • How the media portray women
  • Media and families as risk and protective factors for children
  • How families can mitigate the negative effects and promote the positive effects of media

Dr. Gentile works with each group individually to tailor the content of his presentations to each audience and its goals.

  

A partial list of organizations that have enjoyed Dr. Gentile's dynamic presentations includes:

  • National WIC Association Annual Conference, Houston, TX
  • Governor's Annual Safe Schools Summit, Oklahoma City, OK
  • Media Violence Workshop, Potsdam, Germany
  • Media Development Authority, Singapore
  • North Dakota Supreme Court, Juvenile Court Seminar, Grand Forks, ND
  • American Academy of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Conference, Milwaukee, WI
  • New Mexico Media Literacy Catalyst Institute, Albuquerque, NM
  • 91W WMS/Department of Combat Medical Training Education Conference, San Antonio, TX
  • Oregon WIC Statewide Meeting, Portland, OR
  • Virginia Department of Health, WIC and Community Nutrition Services, Richmond, VA
  • Youth Summit, Columbia, TN
  • Oregon Parent Teacher Association, Salem, OR
  • Centro di Medicina Preventiva, Verona, Italy
  • 19th Annual Early Intervention and Early Childhood Summer Institute, Williamsburg, VA
  • Video Games/Entertainment Industry Technology and Medicine Conference, Marina Del Rey, CA
  • Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation Governor's Scholars Institute, Sauk Rapids, MN
  • Greater Texas Community Partners Conference, Dallas, TX
  • 5th Annual Family and Community Violence Prevention Conference, Marshall, MN
  • National Institute of Education, Singapore
  • Minnesota Council on Family Relations Conference, St. Paul, MN
  • Planned Parenthood of New England, Portsmouth, NH
  • Bradley County School District, Cleveland, TN
  • Dipartimento della Dipendenza, Verona, Italy
  • Governor's Conference on Substance Abuse, Des Moines, IA
  • Region One Prevention Conference, Williston, ND
  • Touch Community Social Work Services, Singapore
  • School Administrators of Iowa Conference, Des Moines, IA  

Photo: Joanna Herr
© 2008 Douglas A. Gentile, Ph.D.

  

BIO

Verbatim quotes from participants at Dr. Gentile's presentations

Click here to request information about Dr. Gentile´s speaking calendar

"Dr. Gentile is the Best, Best, Best speaker we have ever had at a WIC conference.  Absolutely fantastic and practical.  Please bring him back!"

Oregon WIC Annual Conference

"Dr. Gentile's presentation was great!"

Supreme Court of North Dakota

"The room was buzzing after each presentation with positive comments and a desire to engage in further conversation about the issues you presented.  This is exciting...to know that you have been involved in moving others into action."

Scott County Kids

"Awesome!  Really enjoyed his presentation.  I liked the different research he did and how he put it into 'layman' terms."

SIRCLE Healthy Lifestyles

"Your message was superb!"

Governor's Scholar Institute

"A++.  This guy knows what he is talking about."

Iowa Substance Abuse Program Directors' Association

"Dr. Gentile is one of the most engaging speakers I have ever met. He provides his audience with much food for thought in easily digestible bits, spiced with a lively sense of humor."

National Institute of Education, Singapore

"[He] was EXTREMELY knowledgeable and presented the information in an exciting, interesting manner."

Region VII Children's Services

"Great!  Will apply professionally, but am real motivated to apply personally."

Public Health Administrator

"Awesome!  Every parent should hear him speak --- then every teenager."

Southeast Iowa Regional Coalition for Lifestyle Enhancement

"Very knowledgeable/research based.  Great!!"

High School Counselor/SADD advisor

"OUTSTANDING - Hit me in my emotional center."

Partners in Prevention

"Great presenter, kept audience attention, 'real life' examples and also research examples.  Very interesting - engaging and funny.  Excellent work!"

Governor's Conference

"Wow! Powerful influence - excellent information!"

Media as Risk Factor Participant

"I really learned a lot - it was such great information."

Church Youth Director