Henry Park Primary -- Neal Roy Pravin #SpeakUp2026

Afternoon ladies and gentlemen, my name is Neil and I am from Henry Park Primary School. I am 10 years old and I am going to speak on the topic, Are we growing up too fast in the digital age? Just yesterday, I was sitting in my school canteen, waiting for my best friend Paxton after CCA had ended. When he finally came to me, he didn't say, Hey Neil, how was your day? Instead, he shoved his phone right in front of my face and said, Bro, did you see the new TikTok dance trend? Try it. Ancient. I looked at him and let out a long, dramatic sigh. I thought about what I had just said. 10 years old and we already feel ancient? Are we becoming obsessed with what we see on our screens instead of life in real time? Digital age, I think the answer is a big, resounding yes. The other day, I was supposed to be revising for my science test. But within 5 minutes of studying, a notification had popped up on my phone, followed by a YouTube recommendation. Before I knew it, I spent a good time scrolling Instagram reels. I didn't learn anything from these mindless reels. No, my grandfather about this, he chuckled. He said that back in his day, a much simpler and innocent time, privileged to attend school and sit for exams. Children back then didn't care about looking cool or accumulating virtual followers. They were happy-go-lucky, as the word goes childlike. Not anymore. Today, 10-year-olds are exposed to screens in almost every direction they turn to. Research is now no longer conducted in the library, but on our iPads or laptops. The content, which may sometimes not be age-appropriate, can be seen around the world and pretend like we don't have taken up our PSL-ing. suddenly playing catching at the void deck seems childish age that we live in necessarily people children can now do research on any topic at record speed and opportunities are now endless but is it meant to be lived by looking at a glowing glass screen 24/7 it is meant to be lived in real time scraped knees got you to recess block catching real laughter and real friends So today, I challenge all children to take their devices away.