Prince Harry and Meghan Take On Tech Giants Over Kids’ Online Safety

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, honored as Humanitarians of the Year by Project Healthy Minds, took a bold stand against social media companies at a gala held at Spring Studios in Manhattan on Thursday night. The couple highlighted the dangers of exploitative algorithms and unregulated artificial intelligence, which they argue pose significant risks to children’s mental health. Citing a ParentsTogether study, they revealed that researchers posing as minors encountered harmful interactions with AI chatbots every five minutes, underscoring the urgent need for reform. "These were the companies' own chatbots working to advance their own depraved internal policies," Prince Harry stated, emphasizing the systemic nature of the issue.

The Duke and Duchess announced a strategic partnership between their Archewell Foundation’s Parents Network and ParentsTogether to build a movement of families advocating for safer digital spaces. Since founding Archewell in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties, the couple has prioritized youth mental health, focusing on combating online harm and supporting youth-led initiatives for responsible technology. Their remarks at the gala, hosted by NBC’s Carson Daly, reinforced their commitment to holding powerful tech companies accountable. Prince Harry previously warned of an “epidemic” of anxiety, depression, and social isolation among young people, driven by exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and harassment on social media platforms.

The couple’s advocacy is deeply personal. Meghan Markle has openly discussed her mental health struggles stemming from intense media scrutiny and royal family pressures, while Prince Harry has faced invasive tabloid reporting, including phone hacking. Their experiences fuel their determination to address the lack of guardrails protecting children from harmful online content, such as pornography and violence. At a Movember reception the previous evening, Harry spoke with journalist Brooke Baldwin about the importance of men sharing their struggles, noting, “Loneliness convinces you you’re the only one, which is rarely true.” This message resonated with the gala’s theme of destigmatizing mental health conversations.

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Project Healthy Minds, a tech-driven nonprofit, recognized the couple’s influence as “culture makers” who inspire millions to seek mental health care. CEO Phil Schermer emphasized the importance of pairing celebrity advocacy with tangible solutions, such as the organization’s free online marketplace that connects users with tailored mental health services. Funds raised at the gala will enhance this platform with filters for insurance providers and telehealth preferences, akin to travel booking sites. Carson Daly, a board member, shared how his public discussions about anxiety have encouraged fans to open up, illustrating the power of vulnerability in breaking down stigma.

The event also honored Indianapolis Colts co-owner Kalen Jackson as the inaugural Sports Visionary of the Year for her work with the Kicking The Stigma initiative, which expands mental health care access. Presented by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the award recognized Jackson’s leadership following the loss of her father, Jim Irsay. Project Healthy Minds’ mission, amplified by voices like Harry, Meghan, and Daly, seeks to make emotional openness a source of pride. As Schermer noted, “By being vulnerable, being honest, being open, that’s actually your greatest superpower.”

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