Teenager tweets from smart fridge after mother confiscates electronic devices
A teenager managed to tweet from her family’s smart fridge after her mother confiscated all of her electronic devices.
The Twitter user, who goes by the name “Dorothy” on the platform, runs an Ariana Grande fan account boasting 28,500 followers.
Dorothy, whose last name and age are unknown, told followers how her mother “confiscated [her] electronics again”.
READ MORE: Limit screen time to an hour a day, parents advised
But she showed off her resourcefulness by successfully sending a tweet from her family’s smart fridge.
I do not know if this is going to tweet I am talking to my fridge what the heck my Mom confiscated all of my electronics again.
— dorothy 🏹 (@thankunext327) August 8, 2019
The story has since gone viral, with Twitter starting a #FreeDorothy hashtag.
LG Electronics, the manufacturer of the smart fridge, also supported the hashtag with a tweet.
— LG Electronics (@LGUS) August 13, 2019
In an interview with The Guardian, Dorothy explained her devices were confiscated two weeks ago when she accidentally caused a fire after she got distracted while cooking.
“She took all my tech so I’d pay more attention to my surroundings,” said the teenager, who, according to the publication, had messaged from her cousin’s iPad.
“I felt mortified! I was worried because I’ve been bored all summer and Twitter passes the time for me.”
READ MORE: Mums defend Coleen Rooney after screen time criticism
Earlier tweets appear to show Dorothy’s battle to get back online – from her initial announcement that her mother had taken away her phone, to further tweets posted from a handheld Nintendo device and a Wii U gaming console.
I seen that Dorothy has been using twitter on her Nintendo. This account will be shut down now. pic.twitter.com/L4JqNYhUHe
— dorothy 🏹 (@thankunext327) August 5, 2019
#WiiU pic.twitter.com/9q09xxW2QR
— dorothy 🏹 (@thankunext327) August 5, 2019
Although the “Dorothy” saga has undeniably caught mass attention, it is unclear whether it is what it appears to be.
Some followers are calling it “fake”, while others are speculating that it could be a clever marketing stunt from LG Electronics.
Indeed, this would not be the first time social media has been used for a sleuth marketing campaign. Last year, a viral Instagram egg was revealed as a mental health advertisement.
are you getting paid for this dorothy ?
— stacey (@thatbitchPARIS) August 14, 2019
her story is fake
— MrZoroaster (@MrZoroaster) August 14, 2019
@thankunext327 @LGUS I can see it now ur mom breaks the refrigerator door and LG be like I’ll slide u a new phone but u better tell your fans and friends how good the door was and the phone is😂
— Alex Happiana FAN ACCOUNT (@ineedsomegrande) August 14, 2019
But whatever the truth behind Dorothy’s story, it is nonetheless indicative of a wider debate surrounding young people and excessive screen time.
Just yesterday, research found parents are paying their children to stop them staring at their screens.
Earlier this year, charity Barnado’s warned social media may affect the communication skills of young children.
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