TED Talk: Why Molly Wright is Australia’s answer to Greta Thunberg

A seven-year-old Gold Coast girl has a powerful message for parents that will win a worldwide audience of millions. Here’s what she has to say.

Exclusive: A sassy Aussie schoolgirl is set for global fame with her plea for parents to ditch digital devices and play with their kids.

Seven-year-old Gold Coast girl 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 Year 2 student 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.

Molly Wright, 7, plays with her little brother Freddie, 3. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

“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 and bubbly 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’’.

She admires Greta Thunberg’s campaigning and says it would be a “dream come true to do that for early education’’.

“I feel like I would help so many people,’’ she said.

“Babies can’t speak for themselves so I was trying to speak for them and say, please connect with your children because it’s really important you do that.

“It’s important for parents to use their devices sometimes, but if you have any free time, put your device down for a moment and connect with your child.’’

Molly Wright, 7, will become the youngest person to deliver a global TED Talk. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

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.

Thrive by Five is backed by the Minderoo Foundation, run by philanthropists Andrew and Nicola Forrest.

Mrs Forrest said Molly’s message was important for parents, carers, policymakers and world leaders.

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.

The head of TED, Chris Anderson, said Molly had a “wow” factor and deserved a huge audience.

“I absolutely love this talk,’’ he said.

“To hear a powerful idea like this spoken so eloquently by a child – wow!’’

Molly Wright delivers her TED Talk with her neighbour, baby Ari Brar. Photo courtesy of TED.

Thrive By Five chief executive Jay Weatherill, a former South Australian Premier, said play could have a “profound impact on a child’s brain’’.

“A million neural connections are being made every second so when you play with your child, you are literally wiring up your child’s brain,’’ he said.

Molly Wright, 7 plays with her mum Ally, dad Neil, brother Freddie and dalmatian Matilda. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

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.

“The first five years is absolutely critical for children’s brain development,’’ she said.

“You have to smile at your baby for it to smile back.

“When mothers breastfeed, a lot of the time they are looking at social media and not connecting with the child.

“Kids are not meant to be alone – their brain is like a sponge.

“If you’re not connecting with them, it can affect their development.’’