Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in a rare public appearance, spoke about their efforts to make social media a safer place and the impact it has had on their own family. The couple participated in Project Healthy Minds’ second-annual World Mental Health Day Festival in New York, where they joined Carson Daly and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy for a panel discussion titled “The Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit: Mental Wellness in a Digital Age.”
The Archewell Foundation, founded by Markle and Prince Harry, aims to build a better world online, restore trust in information, and uplift communities. During the panel, the couple listened to stories from parents whose children tragically took their own lives after negative experiences on social media. These parents, who work with the foundation to raise awareness, received support and appreciation from Harry and Meghan.
Expressing gratitude to the parents for being on this journey, Prince Harry said, “We know it’s not easy for you guys to be here, so thank you very much.” Markle, emotionally moved by the stories she heard a year ago, emphasized the importance of supporting these families and sharing their stories. She noted, “As parents, though our kids are really young… social media is not going away.” She acknowledged that social media platforms were designed to be positive and create communities, but things have deteriorated, and they want to help those families whose stories have not been heard.
While being interviewed, Markle mentioned that being a mother is the most important thing in her life, along with being Harry’s wife. Despite their children’s young age, the couple acknowledges that they will eventually need to navigate the internet. Markle expressed both fear for the changing nature of the online world and hope for the progress made in the past year. She believes that gathering information and having high-level conversations can help move the needle towards a safer digital space.
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Prince Harry emphasized the difficulties in addressing the problem due to the size and power of the tech companies responsible for social media platforms. He called for accountability and stated, “If the shareholders of these companies can accept that they’re going to get a little less profit out of it to make it a safe space, then that would stop the suffering.” He urged social media platforms to stop sending children content that they wouldn’t want their own children to see.
Both Harry and Meghan emphasized the need for transparency and understanding in addressing the problem of online safety. They drew a parallel with the evolution of car safety, highlighting how protective measures were put in place as accidents occurred. Similarly, they called for modifications and safeguards in the online world to protect children who are experiencing harm.
Markle concluded by stating that it would require collective effort on various levels, from grassroots to policy changes, to ensure the safety of families and children in the digital age.
The panel discussion highlighted the couple’s commitment to making social media safer and their ongoing work with the Archewell Foundation. By sharing stories and advocating for change, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are striving to create a more positive and secure online environment for young people.
