Meghan Markle and Prince Harry launch anti-social media push in emotional CBS interview
In an emotional interview aired on Sunday, Prince Harry And Meghan Markle have spoken openly about the dangers they believe social media companies like MetadataX (formerly Twitter)And TikTok created. Any parent’s child “can be in the next room on a tablet or on a phone and can go down these rabbit holes,” Harry said of social media. “And before you know it, within 24 hours, they could be suicidal.”
The Duke of Sussex gave that dire warning in a previously published interview with Jane Pauleyran ABOVE CBS This Morning today. During the interview, the royal couple announced the launch of the Parents Network, an initiative from their non-profit organization, Archwell Foundation to support parents and guardians who have lost a child due to trauma, bullying or abuse on social media.
Based on its newly launched websiteParents in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada “whose children are suffering from the harmful effects of social media, are at risk of death, are facing ongoing mental health challenges, or have tragically lost a child” will receive “vital support” through “a free, private community of parents and caregivers united by their shared experiences of social media harm.” The site also offers “Parental guidance” Go to popular platforms and access small peer-led support groups and expert-led educational events.
This effort stems from Meghan Markle’s own experiences. as a public figure and as a spouse of one of the most-watched royals on the planet. “When you’ve gone through any level of pain or trauma, I think part of our healing journey — certainly part of mine — is being able to be really open about that,” she said.
“If me speaking out about what I went through can save someone or encourage someone in their life to really, honestly examine themselves and not assume that because they look good everything is okay, then it’s worth it,” she said. “I’ll take a hit for that.”
Markle, who admitted in 2021 that she had suicidal thoughts because the pressure of royal scrutinysaid she “really just scratched the surface of my experience” working on the couple’s new initiative.
“But I think I would never want anyone else to feel that way,” she said. “And I would never want anyone else to make plans like that, and I would never want anyone else to not be trusted.”
In a rare joint interview, the couple said the goal of The Parents’ Network is to help raise awareness of the silent threat social media poses to children’s mental health. “One of the scariest things we’ve learned over the last 16, 17 years of social media, and more recently, is that it can happen to anyone,” Harry said, referring to cases of self-harm believed to stem from the use of online platforms.
“Our kids are young; they’re three and five. It’s amazing. But all you want to do as a parent is protect them,” Markle said. “And so when we saw what was going on online, we knew there was a lot of work to be done there, and we were just happy to be a part of changing things for the better.”
A key part of the new effort, Harry said, is helping parents understand when their kids are struggling with social media. “We’re at a point where almost every parent needs to be a first responder,” Harry said. “And even the best first responders in the world can’t recognize the signs of potential suicide. Like, that’s the scary part of it.”
If you need emotional support or are in crisis, call the Suicide and Crisis Hotline on 988.
