Prince Harry Speaks at CGI
Good morning, everybody.
Thank you. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the world’s first satellite, marking humanity’s first stride into the vast expanse of space. Then in 1961, we witnessed a monumental achievement as Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into space, a feat that captured the imagination of people around the globe.
Of course, we cannot forget 1969, when American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history with the first successful human landing on the Moon. A triumph that showcased the boundless potential of human invention and spirit. Over the course of our history, humankind has dared to exceed the limitations of possibility. We’ve dreamed the inconceivable. We’ve built the unimaginable.
As a result, we live in a time where accessibility to everything, everywhere, all at once, rests in the palm of our hands. Yet, while we celebrate global achievements and their impact, there is still critical work to do. And so, I stand before you today to speak about the pervasive threat that our online world poses to us, especially our children, if we allow the status quo to remain. In an age where our lives are intertwined with technology, we cannot afford to only see the online world as a space for profitability, competition, and rapid growth. Instead, we must come together to ensure the digital space fosters wellbeing, connection, and hope.
Young people today are disproportionately affected by negative experiences online and mental health issues stemming from their digital interactions. They know it, and the statistics prove it. They’re navigating an environment that is often hostile and overwhelming. Reports of anxiety, depression, and social isolation linked to these platforms have surged in recent years, creating a crisis that cannot be ignored.
These challenges are compounded by the relentless spread of unreliable and unfounded information, leaving many feeling isolated, confused, and scared. These are not distant problems. They’re epidemics currently testing our resolve and cannot be ignored.
My lock screen is a picture of my kids. What’s yours? These children and thousands more meant the world to their families. The beautiful faces you see before you, their smiles, their dreams, all lost, all too soon, and all because of social media.
It’s why we launched the Parents Network, a global community that provides crucial support to parents whose children have suffered from the harmful effects of social media. And it is because of them that we at the Archwell Foundation are committed to this issue. Through trauma-informed practices, our network helps parents come together to forge strong bonds, offering healing support through community. The safe and free-to-access peer support not only offers invaluable resources and advice, but it is also guided by a licensed facilitator, ensuring that no one has to navigate this journey alone.
Our platform provides an opportunity for parents to turn their pain into purpose, ultimately changing the very system that stole their child. As the digital landscape has evolved, we’ve seen rising polarization, social unrest, and a disconnect that often manifests itself in violence and fear. Personal social connections have fallen secondary to alternative digital realities.
These platforms are designed to create addiction. Young people are kept there by mindless, endless, numbing scrolling, being force-fed content that no child should ever be exposed to. This is not free will.
I, like many of you, did not grow up with a phone. Young people today possess an incredible understanding of technology that older generations may struggle to grasp. They are digital natives, adept at navigating online spaces and spotting harmful trends. Their artistry and fresh perspectives allow them to envision solutions that we might overlook. They’re also part of a collective that uses its voice to speak up when something is wrong.
Deep commitments to social justice and inclusivity drive them to advocate for a future we can be proud of. So we must empower them. We must listen to their experiences, understand their perspectives, and provide them with the resources they need to navigate and shape the digital world. We must raise them to know that IQ without EQ will always fall short. We must provide them with spaces to innovate and advocate for solutions that prioritize safety, respect, and empathy.
While we embolden both youth and parents to be in the conversation, we must also hold those in power accountable. The first-ever global ministerial meeting focused on ending violence against children will take place in Colombia this November. For the first time, there can be global agreement on prioritizing child safety and protection online.
Our laws and regulations are different state to state, country to country. We may have different backgrounds, viewpoints, beliefs, and even access to the internet itself. But one thing we can universally agree on is the safety of our children.
So why do the leaders of these insanely powerful social media companies still refuse to change? Why are we holding them to the lowest ethical standards? In any other circumstance, a business would commit all resources to fixing the bug. Instead of providing parents with more tips and tricks for navigating hostile environments, shareholders need to demand change.
Some say kids will be kids, and while that may be true, our kids are being targeted. The harmful effects of social media are made by design. While we embolden both youth and parents, we must also hold digital platforms accountable. Surely none of us want to live in a world where there is no consequence or accountability. Parenting doesn’t end at the birth of a child, and neither does founding a company.
Whether parent or CEO, we have a duty and a responsibility to see our creations through. If corporations unabashedly lack responsibility, it doesn’t mean we should do the same. Their platforms may be under our fingertips, but we have the fate of the future — their future — in our hands. When many in our world today seem to conflate opinion as fact and fact as opinion, we have to work hard to seek and reveal truth. For as long as we’re debating over lies, we will forever be divided.
And when so much of our future is uncertain, we need to meet global insecurity with compassion rather than hate. Inclusivity and equity are not optional. They are the bedrock upon which we must build our communication and community. Fear, orchestrated at the highest levels, needs to be seen for what it is: a tactic to mask indifference and a failure to seek real solutions.
As a growing movement, the parents’ network is committed to this journey. We need platforms that mirror our highest values, designed with safety in mind. But in the meantime, we can’t wait. Our kids can’t wait.
We need to create programs that teach digital literacy, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking. We need to equip our youth with the skills they need to identify and combat online threats. We need a better digital future, one that we all deserve. We were promised a human experience, yet we’ve been a human experiment.
This is an invitation to each and every one of you to open your eyes, ears, and hearts to these realities and to channel our power, resources, and intelligence toward meaningful action. All we have today, in this moment, stems from the defiance of boundaries we once thought existed.
We’ve split the atom. We’ve walked on the moon. We are more than equipped to tackle this. The future of our world and our youth depend on it. We all just need to want it enough. And I know that I do. Thank you.
