Prince Harry and Meghan Advocate for Social Media Safety at Project Healthy Minds Gala
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, were honored with the Humanitarian of the Year award at the third annual Project Healthy Minds Gala for their work in creating The Parents Network through their Archewell Foundation. The Parents Network aims to support families affected by the harmful impacts of social media. The event, hosted by Project Healthy Minds, which provides free mental health services with a focus on young people navigating the digital world, highlighted the growing concerns surrounding the mental health impact of technology and social media platforms.
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Official guidance: NIST — official guidance for Prince Harry Meghan call out harmful
Prince Harry’s Stark Warning About Social Media’s Impact
During their acceptance speech, Prince Harry drew attention to the scale of the issue, citing that the Social Media Victims Law Center is currently representing 4,000 families who have been able to directly link harm to their children with social media usage. He emphasized that this number represents only those families who have the resources and ability to challenge powerful corporations. Prince Harry spoke about the rapid growth of unregulated artificial intelligence and the increasing number of stories from families who have experienced heartbreak, while parents globally are becoming increasingly concerned about their children’s digital lives.
Prince Harry criticized corporations and lobbyists for allegedly spending millions to suppress the truth about the harms of social media. He argued that algorithms are designed to prioritize data collection at any cost, and that social media platforms are preying on children. He specifically called out Apple for user privacy violations and Meta for suggesting that privacy restrictions would cost them billions. The Duke of Sussex also shared the results of a study in which researchers, posing as children, interacted with a popular AI chatbot and experienced a harmful interaction every five minutes. He pointed out that these harmful interactions were not from third-party content, but from the company’s own chatbots.
The Parents Network and ParentsTogether Partnership
A key announcement during the gala was the partnership between The Parents Network and ParentsTogether, another organization dedicated to family advocacy and online safety. This collaboration aims to strengthen efforts to protect children from the potential harms of social media. The partnership signifies a united front in addressing the complex challenges that families face in navigating the digital landscape and ensuring the well-being of young people in the age of social media.
Broader Efforts and Context
Prince Harry has been vocal about the harms of social media on previous occasions. In April, he engaged with youth leaders in Brooklyn to discuss the increasing influence of tech platforms driven by profit rather than safety. In January, he and Meghan criticized Meta for undermining free speech after the platform announced changes to its fact-checking policy. These actions are part of a broader effort to raise awareness and advocate for responsible technology practices.
The concerns raised by Prince Harry and Meghan are supported by numerous studies highlighting the negative impact of social media on young people. These studies suggest a link between social media usage and a growing mental health crisis, as well as a sense of loneliness among young individuals. Project Healthy Minds further addressed these issues by hosting a festival on World Mental Health Day, featuring discussions with parents, advocates, and experts about how social media has reshaped childhood. Some of these panels were organized in collaboration with Prince Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 and the Future of Tech
While the Gala focused on the negative impacts of social media, the tech industry continues to evolve, with events like TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 showcasing innovation and growth. This event brings together tech leaders, venture capitalists, and startups to explore the future of technology. Discussions will likely include how to mitigate the risks associated with social media and AI, while still harnessing their potential for good. The event emphasizes the importance of responsible innovation and ethical considerations in the development of new technologies.
Conclusion
Prince Harry and Meghan’s recognition at the Project Healthy Minds Gala underscores the growing concern about the impact of social media on mental health, particularly among young people. Their advocacy, through The Parents Network and their partnership with ParentsTogether, highlights the need for greater awareness, responsible technology practices, and support for families navigating the digital world. The ongoing dialogue between advocates, tech companies, and policymakers is crucial for creating a safer and healthier online environment for future generations.
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