Photo Credit: Getty Images
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, have issued a strong appeal for increased protections for children online during an emotional event held in New York City. The couple unveiled the Lost Screen Memorial, a public installation featuring 50 illuminated smartphone-shaped lightboxes, each representing a child whose life was tragically affected by harmful content on social media.
The memorial, supported by the Archewell Foundation and the Parents' Network, seeks to raise awareness about the dangers young people face in the digital space. Speaking at the event, Prince Harry emphasized the urgency of addressing the influence of social media on children's mental health, stating, "Life is better off social media." He added that while his own children are not yet old enough to be online, he recognizes the unique pressures faced by families in today's digital environment.
The Duke also criticized technology companies for citing privacy concerns when refusing to share information from the accounts of deceased children. "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," he said.
Meghan Markle echoed his sentiments, calling online harm against children a global issue and praising the courage of parents who have come forward to advocate for change. "What we see through these parents is the hope and the promise of something better," she said.
Outside of the United States, a group of British parents staged a protest outside Meta's offices in London. Among them were families who believe social media played a role in their children's deaths. One such family, the Kenevans, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against TikTok earlier this year, alongside three other families. The suit alleges that dangerous content was promoted to minors, increasing the likelihood of engagement with harmful material.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, responded by stating it shares the goal of ensuring online safety for teens and recently introduced enhanced protections for young users. The UK's media regulator, Ofcom, also announced new measures to improve child safety online, including stricter age verification protocols and proactive monitoring of harmful content.
As the call for greater accountability grows louder, the Duke and Duchess continue to play a central role in advocating for digital reforms to safeguard the well-being of children across the globe.
