Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Social Media's Impact on Youth

A Gala Focused on Youth Mental Health and Social Media's Impact

Attendees enjoyed prosecco and conversation during the dessert service at the third annual Project Healthy Minds Gala, held Thursday evening in New York City.

As the evening progressed, the prestigious Humanitarian of the Year award was presented to Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. This recognition honored their work in establishing The Parents’ Network through their Archewell Foundation.

The Parents’ Network and its Mission

The Parents’ Network provides crucial support to families impacted by the detrimental effects of social media platforms.

Earlier this year, the organization hosted a poignant event. Images of young individuals lost to tragedies, believed to be linked to social media influence, were displayed on large screens.

Project Healthy Minds and the Broader Conversation

The Gala was organized by Project Healthy Minds, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free mental health resources. A particular focus is placed on assisting young people navigating a technology-driven world.

The event, alongside a conference held the following day, offered insights into the perceptions of social media held by young people and their parents. It also highlighted the significant negative impact these platforms are having on mental wellbeing.

Prince Harry's Powerful Address

Upon accepting the award, Prince Harry shared a sobering statistic: “Four thousand.”

He clarified that this number represents the families currently being represented by the Social Media Victims Law Center.

Prince Harry emphasized that this figure only includes those parents who have successfully connected their child’s harm to social media and possess the resources to “challenge some of the world’s wealthiest and most powerful corporations.”

Concerns About AI and Corporate Practices

He expressed concern over the rapid, unregulated development of artificial intelligence. He also noted the increasing number of heartbreaking stories from families and the growing anxieties of parents regarding their children’s online experiences.

Prince Harry asserted that these families are facing opposition from corporations and lobbyists investing heavily to conceal the truth. He stated that algorithms are engineered to “maximize data collection regardless of the consequences.”

He directly criticized Apple for breaches of user privacy and Meta for acknowledging that privacy safeguards would result in substantial financial losses.

Furthermore, he discussed the dangers of AI, referencing tests conducted by researchers who, posing as children, interacted with a popular AI chatbot. “They encountered a harmful interaction every five minutes,” he revealed.

He stressed that these harmful interactions were not generated by external sources, but by the company’s own chatbots, operating under flawed internal policies.

New Partnerships and Continued Advocacy

A significant announcement made during the Gala was the partnership between The Parents’ Network and ParentsTogether. This collaboration aims to enhance efforts in protecting children from the risks associated with social media.

Prince Harry's Ongoing Commitment

This is not the first instance of Prince Harry publicly addressing the harms of social media. In April, he engaged with youth leaders in Brooklyn to discuss the growing influence of tech platforms and their prioritization of profit over safety.

In January, both Prince Harry and Meghan criticized Meta for potentially undermining free speech following changes to its fact-checking policies.

A Growing Consensus

The couple’s concerns regarding the influence of technology companies are aligned with a broader understanding of the issue.

Numerous studies demonstrate the detrimental effects of social media on young people, contributing to a mental health crisis and exacerbating feelings of loneliness.

World Mental Health Day and Continued Dialogue

The day following the Gala, on World Mental Health Day, Project Healthy Minds hosted a festival dedicated to mental health discussions. Several panels featured collaboration between Project Healthy Minds and the Archewell Foundation, bringing together parents, advocates, and experts to explore how social media is reshaping childhood.

A Mental Health Festival Followed the Gala Event

Immediately following the gala, a dedicated festival centered on the critical issue of mental health was held.

The Digital Age and Youth Wellbeing

The initial panel discussion, titled “How Are Young People Doing in the Digital Age,” was facilitated by an introduction from Harry.

Panelist Katie shared her personal experience, recounting how, at the age of 12, TikTok’s algorithm consistently presented her with videos focused on dieting and weight loss. This exposure, she explained, ultimately contributed to the development of an eating disorder.

Isabel Sunderland, policy lead for the advocacy group Design It For Us, also participated. This organization actively campaigns for increased safety measures on social media platforms.

Sunderland described discovering an article detailing Facebook’s alleged role in the Myanmar genocide. This discovery prompted extensive research into the potential for everyday platforms to be exploited for the propagation of “hate and violence.” Initially, she attributed her exposure to harmful content to personal failings.

“My research ultimately revealed that these platforms are intentionally engineered by social media companies to maximize user engagement and time spent online,” she stated.

Focus on Childhood and Social Media’s Impact

The subsequent panel, concentrating on the effects on children, further explored the detrimental influence of social media. Meghan introduced the panel, with journalist Katie Couric serving as the moderator.

Jonathan Haidt, author of the widely discussed book “The Anxious Generation,” presented his research findings to begin the discussion.

Haidt highlighted a concerning trend: rising rates of anxiety and depression among children, coupled with academic struggles and a diminished sense of purpose. He noted a decline in unstructured outdoor play, hindering the development of crucial social skills. Furthermore, he observed an increase in gambling addiction among boys and a lack of real-world conflict resolution skills among young people.

He also pointed out that legislative efforts to address these issues are facing strong opposition from powerful tech industry lobbying groups.

“Play is fundamentally important for brain development,” Haidt explained to Couric. “Depriving children of play in their early years can lead to increased anxiety in adulthood.”

The importance of boredom – those moments of quiet contemplation – was also emphasized. These periods allow the brain to rest and recharge, a function now often replaced by constant scrolling on digital devices.

Amy Neville, community manager of the Parents’ Network and president of the Alexander Neville Foundation, shared her personal tragedy. She lost her son, Alexander, to an overdose and is currently pursuing legal action against Snapchat, alleging the platform facilitated drug dealing to her son.

“I discovered that families across the United States were experiencing similar tragedies, finding their children deceased from pills purchased through Snapchat,” she revealed. Her lawsuit is progressing, and she expressed her unwavering commitment to the fight.

Kirsten, the mother of Katie (who previously appeared on a panel), also shared her story. Despite diligently monitoring her daughter’s phone usage, Katie still developed an eating disorder and required hospitalization.

Kirsten’s investigation led her to an article detailing how TikTok delivers eating disorder-related content to young girls.

“My husband and I were unaware of the ‘For You’ page,” she explained. “The content my daughter was exposed to wasn’t something she actively sought out; it was repeatedly presented to her by the platform.”

A Call for Increased Action

The overarching sentiment of the panel, and indeed both events, was a demand for more decisive action.

Throughout the event, participants advocated for greater legislative oversight, increased accountability from tech companies, and a broader public conversation. They stressed the importance of collective action to establish healthy boundaries with social media. Despite the acknowledged harm, a sense of optimism prevailed.

“We have the capacity, and we will succeed in building a movement that ensures all families and all children receive the support they deserve,” Meghan declared at the Gala. “We know that when parents unite, and communities collaborate, significant change occurs. We are witnessing this happen, and its momentum is growing.”