Prince Harry and Meghan Markle weigh in on UK social media ban debate

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have long been passionate about online safety for children, have given their verdict on the British government’s decision to ban social media for kids under 16

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Meghan and Harry have long campaigned for online safety measures for children(Image: John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have weighed in on the UK government’s decision to ban certain social media for children under the age of 16. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have long been vocal and passionate about online safety for kids, said the decision is “a welcome step forward” but added more needed to be done to keep children away from harmful material.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the plan on Monday following concerns social media was unsafe, making children miserable and could cause lasting damage to their mental health. Starmer’s plan follows Australia’s social media ban for under 16s, which was introduced in December.

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Harry and Meghan have applauded the UK government’s social media ban proposal (Image: JOEL CARRETT/EPA/Shutterstock)

Harry and Meghan welcomed the incoming social media ban, but warned “while measures such as these help reduce harm, they do not fix the problem at its source”. In a statement, the Duke and Duchess said: “We welcome the UK Government’s announcement of new measures to better protect children online.

“The stories shared through The Lost Screen Memorial remind us that behind every debate about technology and regulation are real families whose lives have been forever changed. While measures such as these may help reduce harm, they do not fix the problem at its source.

They continued: “Lasting change requires safer platforms by design, meaningful accountability, and a commitment to putting children’s well-being ahead of engagement and profit. The burden cannot rest solely on parents and children. It must also be borne by the companies.

“Until then, every day without meaningful change is another day that children remain exposed to preventable harm. Stronger protections are better than inaction, and today’s announcement is a welcome step forward.”

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They said the ban is a “welcome step forward”(Image: PA)

Last month, Meghan urged global health leaders to act to keep children safe online at the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial in Geneva, Switzerland. Speaking at the memorial for people who have died after suffering digital harm, the duchess described children’s online safety as a “public health issue”.

Meghan told global health leaders, ministers and families affected by online harm: “Children today are being shaped by systems designed to capture attention at any cost: relentless algorithms, exploitative engagement, and endless exposure to harmful content that they are not seeking out.”

Both Harry and Meghan have advocated for stronger protections for children online. In April last year, the couple unveiled a memorial in New York City to young people who lost their lives due to the harmful effects of social media and met families who believe social media played a part in the deaths of their youngsters.

Five months later, Harry warned that the impact of social media on children is “one of the most pressing issues of our time”, as he spoke at a gala in New York. At the same event, Meghan said she and her husband often discussed how they would protect their own children, seven-year-old Archie and Lili, five, as they grow older.

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Meghan urged global health leaders to take action during a speech in Geneva(Image: Getty Images)

Meghan has, however, drawn much criticism by royal watchers for posting her children on her own social media, even though she always obscures their faces. As Duncan Larcombe previously told the Mirror: “I’m sure her accusers will say she’s exploiting [the children]. Lecturing about children’s privacy but then posting her own children as clickbait.

“She hasn’t suggested you can’t post pictures of your children, but you would think as a campaigner the last thing she would want to do is get her own children’s faces out there in the public eye,” he added.

The Government’s incoming ban, set to be passed by Christmas and in place by spring next year, will leave tech firms, rather than children, liable for enforcement action if they fail to comply. There will also be measures to prevent children from chatting with adults on gaming and livestreaming platforms.

Keir Starmer said the Government was “giving children their childhoods back” as he unveiled plans to block access for under-16s to platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. Speaking at a No10 press conference, the Prime Minister said: “I’m not prepared to compromise on the safety of our children. That is why this ban must happen, that is why it will happen.”