Methodist Girls' Primary -- Priscilla Loh #SpeakUp2026

Hello everyone! Look at these two pictures. On the right, kids from the 1980s are playing outside. On the left, a kid today is on a tablet. Both are having fun, but something is very different. Today, I want to talk about whether we're growing up too fast in a digital age. When my parents were 9, if they had a question, they asked a teacher or looked in book. Now, I can ask Google, watch a YouTube video, or scroll through a feed and see everything. News, games, videos. It's like a waterfall of information, and sometimes it's way too much for a nine-year-old brain. I think there are three big ways the digital age makes us grow up too fast. First, we see things online that are meant for older people. Second, we feel like we have to have the latest game or gadget because everyone else does. And third, we never get bored anymore. And here's the thing, boredom is where great ideas come from. When I'm bored, I would build forts, make up stories or draw. But if there's always a screen, I never have that chance. Now I'm not saying technology is bad. I love learning new things online. I can video call my grandparents. I also can make amazing art on an iPad. But I think we need balance. It's like fast food. It's quick and tasty, but you can't live on it. We need slow moments too. Reading a book, playing outside, or just daydreaming. So, are we growing up too fast? I think maybe a little. But the good news is, we get to decide. We can put the phone down. We can go outside. We can be nine as long as we want. Thank you. Thank you.