Two leading child psychologists fear Cleo Smith could be 're-traumatised' if interviewed on television about her harrowing kidnapping ordeal last year.
Her parents this week signed a $2million deal with Channel 9 to tell the story that captivated the world.
Little Cleo, four, vanished from her family's tent at Quobba Blowholes campground on the north-west coast of Western Australia in the early hours of October 16 last year.
She was allegedly abducted by Terence Darrell Kelly, 36, and was missing for 18 days - but police stated she was not physically harmed.
Cleo was located alone by investigating officers inside a locked home at Carnarvon, about 50 minutes south from the camp site on November 3.
Two leading child psychologists fear Cleo Smith (pictured) could be 're-traumatised' if interviewed on television about her kidnapping last year
Veteran reporter Liz Hayes was due to fly to Perth on February 6 to interview Cleo and her family - but a change to border closures this week in Western Australia has thrown plans into disarray
Steve Zolezzi, a psychologist who specialises in a trauma-sensitive approaches to psychological distress, said it was a dangerous move to interview the youngster about her alleged abduction.
'If this kid gets placed in an unnecessary unsafe environment, that could further re-traumatise the child,' he said.
'The parents shouldn't place their child in that situation, she shouldn't even be a spectator.'
Mr Zolezzi added that most children Cleo's age are 'like sponges, they absorb things around them' and he felt re-telling the experience on camera had the potential to 'reinforce memories to become even more powerful.'
Clinical and forensic psychologist Chris Lennings agreed with Zolezzi, and is adamant Cleo should be shielded from publicity.
'She was held captive for 18 days, that's a terribly long time for a young child to be away from family in an uncertain, frightening environment,' he told The Australian.
'Ordinarily, you would be doing protective things and trying to assist the child recover from the trauma, not re-expose them.'
Earlier this week, Cleo's parents said they were considering changing the four-year-old's name to shield her from unwanted future media and public attention in the wake of her miraculous rescue.
Mother Ellie Smith and stepfather Jake
