In their first formal broadcast interview since their conversation with Oprah Winfrey three years ago, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex addressed the online threats facing children. Speaking on CBS News Sunday Morning, Prince Harry and Meghan drew from their own experiences as parents of Archie and Lilibet, expressing their desire to “protect” their children.
Meghan Markle and Harry are no strangers to online bullying and unspeakable grief. Prince Harry emphasised the gravity of the situation, saying that “one of the scariest things” was the possibility of losing a child to suicide due to exposure to harmful online content. The couple recently launched The Parents Network, a program aimed at supporting parents and guardians affected by this issue.
Jane Pauley, the moderator, pointed out that the central topic is the loss that these families have suffered and the stories that need to be shared because parents who have not suffered a loss may think it couldn’t happen to them, but it could.
Harry agreed, saying, “I think, one of the scariest things that we’ve learnt over the course of the last 16, 17 years that social media’s been around, and more so recently, is the fact that it could happen to absolutely anybody. We always talk about in the olden days if your kids were under your roof, you knew what they were up to; at least they were safe, right? And now, they could be in the next-door room on a tablet or on a phone and can be going down these rabbit holes. And before you know it, within 24 hours, they could be taking their life.”
Meghan emphasised that as parents of young children, all they want to do is protect them, and they are happy to be a part of change for good in the online space.
“Our kids are young; they’re three and five. They’re amazing. But all you want to do as parents is protect them. And so, as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there, and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good,” she said.
Pauley noted that parents hope their children can find help when they ask for it, and Harry added that almost every parent needs to be a first responder, but even the best first responders wouldn’t be able to tell the signs of possible suicide, which is terrifying.
“If you know how to help, right?” said Harry. “At this point, we’ve got to the stage where almost every parent needs to be a first responder. And even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to tell the signs of possible suicide. Like, that is the terrifying piece of this,” he added.
Donna and Chris Dawley lost their 17-year-old son to suicide, which they believe was caused by depression exacerbated by social media use. Despite having a nice car, a job he enjoyed, loving sisters, and adoring parents, their son struggled with addiction to his smartphone. “He still had it in his hand, the phone; that’s how addicted he was,” said Donna. “He couldn’t even kill himself without posting about it first,” Donna added.
Often, it’s difficult for anyone to recognise when someone is in such deep despair that they would consider taking their own life.
Meghan, who shared her own experience with suicidal ideation in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, understands this struggle. She believes that being open about one’s pain or trauma is part of the healing journey and hopes that by sharing her story, she can help others who may be struggling.
The Parents’ Network, launched with an in-person gathering, will primarily meet online to discuss the impact of internet harm on their children. Group facilitator Leora Wolf-Prusan emphasised the importance of creating a supportive community that acknowledges the ongoing nature of grief and the fact that it wasn’t the parents’ fault. Charter members include families who have lost children to suicide, online bullying, and drug overdoses facilitated by the internet.
Meghan believes that change starts with looking at the issue through the lens of a parent and trying to find a solution to prevent other families from experiencing the same pain. By turning their pain into purpose, the members of the Parents’ Network hope to bring comfort and support to one another while working towards preventing future tragedies.
Meghan Markle and Harry are no strangers to online bullying and unspeakable grief. Prince Harry emphasised the gravity of the situation, saying that “one of the scariest things” was the possibility of losing a child to suicide due to exposure to harmful online content. The couple recently launched The Parents Network, a program aimed at supporting parents and guardians affected by this issue.
Jane Pauley, the moderator, pointed out that the central topic is the loss that these families have suffered and the stories that need to be shared because parents who have not suffered a loss may think it couldn’t happen to them, but it could.
Harry agreed, saying, “I think, one of the scariest things that we’ve learnt over the course of the last 16, 17 years that social media’s been around, and more so recently, is the fact that it could happen to absolutely anybody. We always talk about in the olden days if your kids were under your roof, you knew what they were up to; at least they were safe, right? And now, they could be in the next-door room on a tablet or on a phone and can be going down these rabbit holes. And before you know it, within 24 hours, they could be taking their life.”
Meghan emphasised that as parents of young children, all they want to do is protect them, and they are happy to be a part of change for good in the online space.
“Our kids are young; they’re three and five. They’re amazing. But all you want to do as parents is protect them. And so, as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there, and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good,” she said.
Pauley noted that parents hope their children can find help when they ask for it, and Harry added that almost every parent needs to be a first responder, but even the best first responders wouldn’t be able to tell the signs of possible suicide, which is terrifying.
“If you know how to help, right?” said Harry. “At this point, we’ve got to the stage where almost every parent needs to be a first responder. And even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to tell the signs of possible suicide. Like, that is the terrifying piece of this,” he added.
Donna and Chris Dawley lost their 17-year-old son to suicide, which they believe was caused by depression exacerbated by social media use. Despite having a nice car, a job he enjoyed, loving sisters, and adoring parents, their son struggled with addiction to his smartphone. “He still had it in his hand, the phone; that’s how addicted he was,” said Donna. “He couldn’t even kill himself without posting about it first,” Donna added.
Often, it’s difficult for anyone to recognise when someone is in such deep despair that they would consider taking their own life.
Meghan, who shared her own experience with suicidal ideation in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, understands this struggle. She believes that being open about one’s pain or trauma is part of the healing journey and hopes that by sharing her story, she can help others who may be struggling.
The Parents’ Network, launched with an in-person gathering, will primarily meet online to discuss the impact of internet harm on their children. Group facilitator Leora Wolf-Prusan emphasised the importance of creating a supportive community that acknowledges the ongoing nature of grief and the fact that it wasn’t the parents’ fault. Charter members include families who have lost children to suicide, online bullying, and drug overdoses facilitated by the internet.
Meghan believes that change starts with looking at the issue through the lens of a parent and trying to find a solution to prevent other families from experiencing the same pain. By turning their pain into purpose, the members of the Parents’ Network hope to bring comfort and support to one another while working towards preventing future tragedies.
Source : Times of India
