What Happened
During a four-day tour of Australia as non-working royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex participated in a meeting with representatives of a mental health program at Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology. They voiced their support for Australia's under-16 social media ban, a measure designed to protect young people from the potential harms of online platforms. Meghan stated she was bullied daily for over a decade and that tech companies are not incentivized to curb misuse of their platforms.
Meghan shared her concerns about the tech industry, stating, "When I think of all of you and what you're experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realise that you know that industry, that billion-dollar industry, that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks - that's not going to change." Prince Harry lauded Australia's social media ban for children, calling it "epic" from a "responsibility and leadership standpoint." He further noted other countries have followed suit in banning children from social media.
Prince Harry emphasized the need for tech companies to be held accountable, stating, "There's no way that young people should be punished by being banned from something that should be safe to use, no matter what." Earlier that same day, Prince Harry also delivered a keynote speech at a workplace culture summit in Melbourne. Details regarding the specific content of Prince Harry's speech are sparse, but PA news agency reports he was not paid for that appearance. He later spoke at the InterEdge Summit.
Why It Matters
The couple's vocal stance on social media safety highlights growing concerns about the impact of online platforms on mental health, particularly among young people. Meghan’s assertion that she was the 'most trolled person in the world,' and her attacks on tech firms suggests increased public scrutiny of the responsibilities of social media corporations to moderate online environments. The Australian under-16 social media ban underscores a growing global movement to protect vulnerable individuals from online abuse and potential exploitation as users.
Prince Harry gave a speech addressing his personal experiences with loss and grief, including the death of his mother, Princess Diana. He shared his feelings of being "lost, betrayed, or completely powerless" at different stages of his life. His comments reflect a broader effort to destigmatize conversations about mental health and encourage individuals to openly address their emotions, suggesting a commitment to advocacy around grief, trauma, and personal healing.
What Comes Next
It remains to be seen whether the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to advocate for stronger regulations on social media companies. Prince Harry's comments indicate a continued desire to campaign about the potential dangers of social media. Their discussions in Australia added fuel to global debates around establishing and regulating such social media bans for children under 16 and other at-risk demographics. Whether any further action arises from this is as yet unsure.
The royal couple's continuing work as non-working royals may involve further engagement with organizations focused on mental health and well-being, both in Australia and internationally. The pair will likely continue calling for greater accountability from tech companies. Details are still emerging regarding their long-term plans and how they intend to further address the issues they raised during their visit in Australia, but they appear committed to advocacy on this front.
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