Prince Harry Calls For Action On Social Media’s Impact At Clinton Global Initiative
By Sabrina K. Chugh
NEW YORK, NY – At the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 here, Prince Harry delivered a powerful speech urging global action to address the harmful impact of social media, particularly on children. Speaking to a distinguished audience of world leaders, philanthropists, and advocates, the Duke of Sussex emphasized the urgent need to reform the digital landscape and protect young people’s mental health.
Prince Harry opened by referencing key moments in human achievement, such as the 1957 launch of Sputnik and the 1969 moon landing, underscoring how humanity has consistently pushed beyond boundaries. However, he noted, today’s challenge lies in the digital age, where the rise of social media has created an environment that is often harmful, especially for young people. He pointed out the alarming increase in anxiety, depression, and social isolation linked to social media use, stating, “The statistics prove it.”
He described how young people are disproportionately affected by the toxic culture fostered on these platforms, which are designed to be addictive and often expose children to harmful content. Prince Harry connected this issue personally, referencing the loss of many young lives due to social media’s harmful influence: “All lost. All too soon. All because of social media,” he said, moving many in the audience.
As part of the solution, Prince Harry announced the launch of The Parents’ Network, an initiative by The Archewell Foundation aimed at helping families whose children have been negatively impacted by social media. The network provides free, trauma-informed peer support, guided by licensed facilitators, to help parents heal and find community. He stressed the importance of parents turning their pain into purpose through this supportive network.
Prince Harry also challenged social media companies to take more responsibility for their platforms, calling out the lack of meaningful action to address these systemic issues. “The harmful effects of social media are made by design,” he said, emphasizing that the platforms are intentionally created to keep users hooked, often at the expense of young people’s well-being. He urged shareholders and tech leaders to demand higher ethical standards and hold companies accountable.
In his call for global cooperation, Prince Harry highlighted the upcoming ministerial meeting on ending violence against children, scheduled for November in Colombia. He emphasized that this meeting offers a unique opportunity for global leaders to prioritize online child safety and develop policies to protect young people in the digital space.
Prince Harry concluded by urging both parents and world leaders to act now, saying, “We’ve split the atom, we’ve walked on the moon—we can tackle this.” His speech was met with widespread applause, resonating deeply with attendees and underscoring the need for immediate action to address the mental health crisis stemming from social media’s harmful effects.