Prince Harry addressed the ongoing “epidemic” of anxiety, depression, and social isolation among youth caused by negative online experiences during his speech at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in New York City. He highlighted how social media platforms are designed to foster addiction, leading to mindless and numbing scrolling that exposes young people to harmful content. Harry emphasized that this is not a matter of free will, but rather a systemic issue created by the platforms themselves.
In addition to advocating for youth and parental support, Harry called for corporate accountability from social media companies, criticizing their leaders for being held to the “lowest ethical standards.” He urged shareholders to push for meaningful changes in these companies, drawing a parallel between responsible parenting and responsible leadership.
As part of the CGI’s “What’s Working” theme, Harry joined a panel alongside former President Bill Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and chef José Andrés. He used the opportunity to introduce the Archewell Foundation’s latest initiative, The Parents Network, which supports parents whose children have suffered from or died due to online harms. Harry also announced the upcoming Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, set for November in Bogotá, which aims to create a global agreement on online child protection.
Harry’s CGI appearance follows his ongoing philanthropic work during United Nations General Assembly Week. At a separate event for The HALO Trust, he reflected on his late mother Princess Diana’s legacy in landmine clearance, underscoring the importance of continuing her efforts in Angola and beyond. The Duke of Sussex’s remarks demonstrate his commitment to addressing the broader social and mental health impacts of the digital world while advocating for systemic change and corporate responsibility.
Hey, he might be married to one of the most disliked women on the planet, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be right about something like this.
