Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have supplied a film calling for urgent change in online content that is harming children.
Harry and Meghan Published a Video on Their Archewell Site
The Sussexes posted a video on their Archewell site of the couple’s presence at a New York World Mental Health Day Occasion in October of this past year.
In the video, Harry and Meghan break down the effects of online bullying and dangerous content and why the climate of social media needs to change.
Meghan explains,
“When the first car was invented, there wasn’t a seatbelt. And what happened? People started to get hurt, people started to die. So you started to change the car.”
Harry says,
“We need to get out of this idea that young kids, there’s something wrong with them. No, it’s the world that we’re allowing to be created around them. Please stop sending content that you wouldn’t want your own children to see.”
Harry and Meghan sent a message to targets of harassment. “We all just want to feel safe,” they empathize. They explained that everyone today is distressed by the realm of social media, and there is a point that there is an aspect of social media that is creative and uplifting, but so much of it isn’t protected.
They urge social media platforms to get better control over their content. Children are committing suicide or dying even due to dangerous Tic-Tok challenges like the “choking challenge,” also known as the “blackout challenge.”
It involves kids engaging in asphyxiation to the point of temporary unconsciousness. It has been linked to the death of several minors.
Too Many Children Have Died Due to Online Bullying and Harmful Content
An example of another case is a 15-year-old named Jadin Bell, who lived in Oregon. His suicide raised awareness of online bullying and gay victimization bullying.
Bell was a homosexual teenager who was bullied and called names. He went to the elementary school near the high school and hung himself on the play structure.
It is just one of too many cases in which a young person died due to online bullying. A US Senate Judiciary Committee addressed the nature of online bullying and dangerous social media content.
Harry and Meghan said that the hearing was in a room where many parents of children who suffered or perished due to online subject matter were present.
They said that the Archewell Foundation has been helping these families by giving them a support network for parents experiencing the pain from the loss of a child or those who have children who are having severe mental health issues due to exposure to damaging online content.
In a joint declaration that went with the video, the Sussexes said,
“We applaud the bravery and determination of thousands of parents around the country whose advocacy resulted in this hearing. Over the past few years, we have spent time with many of these families, listening to their heartache and their hopes for the urgent change that is needed in the online space.”
The parents of the deceased children are angry and frustrated and want to be heard. The couple went on to say that change was necessary to help these children before it was too late.
There is a huge problem with online content that is not age-appropriate. Also, bullying inhibits your child’s self-worth and feeling safe. Let us know what you think by giving your opinion in the comments below. Also, visit Daily Soap Dish for spoilers of your favorite soaps and information on the royal family.
