Prince Harry Raises Concerns Over Social Media Harms Impacting Youth
Prince Harry raises concerns over social media's impact on youth mental health. Calls for corporate accountability and enhanced platform safety for children. Launches The Parents Network initiative to support families affected by online harms.
The Duke of Sussex expressed his concerns about online platforms designed to create addiction, exposing young people to inappropriate content and endless scrolling. He emphasised the importance of corporate accountability, urging social media leaders to maintain higher ethical standards and shareholders to demand tangible results.
In his speech, Prince Harry emphasised the ongoing need to assist parents and children in navigating the digital world. He emphasised that parental and corporate responsibility go beyond the early stages, advocating for a safer online environment for children. The Duke of Sussex also addressed the pressure on tech behemoths like Meta, Snap, and TikTok to improve platform safety, particularly for younger users who face issues such as exposure to violence, misinformation, unrealistic beauty standards, bullying, and harassment.
While acknowledging some progress made by companies such as Instagram in improving safety measures, Prince Harry emphasised the ongoing need for additional improvements. He emphasised the importance of working together to ensure children's online safety rather than putting all of the responsibility on parents. His presentation at the CGI annual meeting focused on the theme "What's Working," which aligns with his ongoing advocacy for child protection and digital wellbeing.
Prince Harry's Archewell Foundation recently launched The Parents Network initiative to assist families affected by online harms, demonstrating his dedication to addressing these pressing issues. The foundation, which works with organisations such as the World Health Organisation, aims to combat violence against children, a cause that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have actively supported. The Duke of Sussex also spoke about the upcoming Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá, emphasising the importance of prioritising child safety online.
Among his engagements in New York, including appearances at humanitarian events during UN General Assembly Week, Prince Harry's message struck a chord with attendees at the CGI conference. Nia Faith, co-founder of Revolutionnaire, praised his speech as a powerful call to action on an often-overlooked issue, emphasising the importance of positive digital advocacy. Ashley Lashley, the founder of the Ashley Lashley Foundation, praised Prince Harry's efforts to bring stakeholders together to promote safe digital usage and advocate for a multi-sectoral approach to ensuring equity across social media platforms.
Prince Harry raises concerns over social media's impact on youth mental health
Calls for corporate accountability and enhanced platform safety for children
Launches The Parents Network initiative to support families affected by online harms
Source: AP NEWS