(Getty)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have once again brought attention to a growing concern for modern parents: the impact of social media on children. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spoke candidly this week about their desire to safeguard their own children—Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet—from the darker side of the digital world.
During an appearance on BBC Breakfast in New York, Prince Harry, 40, emphasized the urgent need for systemic changes in how social media affects young people.
“We want to make sure that things are changed so that… no more kids are lost to social media,” Harry said, highlighting the real-life consequences of online platforms that have become deeply integrated into childhood and adolescence.
He went on to describe the complex dilemma many parents face: whether to keep their children offline and risk social isolation or allow them to participate in a potentially harmful digital environment.
“The easiest thing to say is to keep your kids away from social media,” he said. “The sad reality is the kids who aren’t on social media normally get bullied at school because they can’t be part of the same conversation as everybody else.”
Prince Harry also criticized current privacy laws that prevent parents from accessing their children’s online activities in critical moments.
“You are telling a parent, you are telling a dad and a mum that they can’t have the details of what their kid was up to on social media because of the privacy of their kid. It’s wrong.”
Meghan Markle echoed Harry’s concerns, offering a more hopeful perspective by focusing on the power of awareness and prevention.
“I think in many ways what we see through these parents is the hope and the promise of something better,” she said. “They just want to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
The couple’s comments come amid growing global concern over the mental health crisis among young people, with social media often at the center of the conversation. Studies have shown links between excessive social media use and issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and cyberbullying—especially among teens.
Since stepping back from their royal duties, Harry and Meghan have been vocal advocates for mental health and digital responsibility. Through their foundation, Archewell, they’ve worked with various partners to promote safer online environments and responsible tech innovation.
Their recent remarks reflect not only their personal commitment as parents, but also a broader call to action for tech companies, lawmakers, educators, and families to come together in creating a healthier digital future.
