MISS MOLLY’S BABY DEVICE PLEA TO 30M
A SASSY Gold Coast girl is set for global fame with her plea for parents to ditch digital devices and play with their kids.
Molly Wright will become the youngest person to deliver a TED Talk, in a passionate message backed by UNICEF that could reach millions of viewers worldwide.
In her seven-minute lecture, the seven-year-old warns that children can suffer when adults are distracted by digital devices.
Molly demonstrates how her neighbour, baby Ari Brar, becomes upset when his father Amarjot pauses playing with him to read an email.
“I know it’s important for adults to use their devices sometimes but kids are hard wired to seek out meaningful connections,’’ she says in her TED talk. “Not receiving them creates confusion and stress.
“Our brains grow faster in the early years than at any other time in our lives – connect, talk and play with us.’’
The bright Year 2 student could become Australia’s answer to Greta Thunberg, the teenage climate change activist from Sweden.
The young animal lover, who dreams of becoming a wildlife vet, found the experience “amazing’’.
“It’s important for parents to use their devices sometimes, but if you have any free time, put your device down and connect with your child.’’
Molly was chosen to present the TED Talk on behalf of Thrive by Five, which campaigns to give more children access to quality early childhood education.
Molly’s spirited speech will reach TED’s 30 million followers, be promoted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and be shown to new parents in maternity hospitals worldwide.
TED says it is a non-profit devoted to spreading ideas. It began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics.
TED boss Chris Anderson, said Molly had a “wow” factor and deserved a huge audience. “To hear a powerful idea like this spoken so eloquently by a child – wow!’’
Professor Desiree Silva, head of paediatrics at the Joondalup Health Campus in Perth, said parents who ignore their children could impair their speech and social development.