Prince Harry Speaks Out Against Social Media

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has expressed his concerns about the damage social media can cause, particularly to young people. He made these comments in New York City, where he was accompanied by his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

The Impact of Social Media on Children

"The easiest way is to keep their children away from social media" to protect them, said Harry. He emphasized that not enough is being done to address the harm caused by social media. The couple’s comments came as they unveiled a monument in New York City, which features 50 smartphones displaying pictures of children who have lost their lives due to social media.

Demands for Change

Prince Harry and Meghan have supported families who believe social media played a role in the death of their children. They are calling for tech companies to release information about these children to their parents. The monument, which will be open for 24 hours, serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of social media.

A Universal Truth

"It is a universal truth that our children are in danger through what happens online," said Meghan. She emphasized the importance of setting a good example for children and promoting positivity online. The couple’s own children, Archie and Lilibet, are currently too young to be on social media, but Harry and Meghan are taking steps to raise awareness about the issue.

Families Affected by Social Media

A number of families from the UK traveled to New York to demand better protection for children from tech companies. One such family is that of Ellen Roome, whose 14-year-old son, Jools, died in 2022. Roome believes that an online challenge contributed to her son’s death and that social media companies could have provided evidence.

Response from Tech Companies

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has introduced special accounts for teenagers with improved protection. However, Harry and Meghan are pushing for more to be done. "We believe that young people in all the different apps they use deserve constant protection in the various apps – not only in our platforms," ​​Meta said in a statement.

A Call to Action

"One of the reasons that we do this is that we want to make sure with all these parents that things will be changed, or so that no parents and no children are lost through social media," said Harry. He emphasized that it is unacceptable for tech companies to withhold information from parents about their children’s online activities. The couple is determined to bring about change and ensure that no more lives are lost due to social media.