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On World Mental Health Day, October 10, Prince Harry sat down with Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation, to discuss the impact of smartphones and social media on youth.
In a video for Fortune Well, Prince Harry, now 40, voiced his concern, saying, "smartphones are often stealing young people's childhood." Haidt agreed, noting that young people born after 1995 in English-speaking countries have experienced spikes in anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide—often linked to smartphone use.
Harry questioned the notion that "social media companies blame parents" for the mental health crisis among youth, pointing out that these companies frequently say, "This is on you; it's about your parenting." Haidt challenged this, stating, "If it were just some parents, that argument might work. But once kids get phones and social media, it disrupts family life everywhere, turning it into a battle over screen time."
"The tech companies put us in a difficult position, then blame us for the consequences," Haidt added.
Reflecting on his own experience as a father to Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, Harry shared insights from the Archewell Foundation's Insight Sessions, revealing that many parents want their children to have phones for emergency situations. Haidt responded, "Give them a phone for emergencies, just not a supercomputer connected to the entire world."
Prince Harry highlighted another misconception, saying social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are perceived as "lifelines" that provide kids with an "added resource" for connection. Haidt argued this is a myth, explaining that true connection comes from real-life interactions. "Research shows that kids with close friends tend to thrive," Haidt explained. "Having hundreds of connections doesn't provide the depth needed for well-being."
Haidt emphasized the urgency of the issue, saying, "2024 is a turning point. We see the harm done to our kids. Parents weren't aware of these risks a decade ago, so it's not about blame."
Their conversation follows the release of Archewell Foundation's latest Insight Report, which gathers youth perspectives from diverse countries on technology's role in their lives. Last month, Prince Harry also discussed the dangers of social media and youth exposure to online content during an event with the Clinton Foundation.
