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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have expressed their support for the United Kingdom's new decision to ban social media for children under 16. Announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday (June 15), the ban aims to protect young people from online dangers and is expected to take effect in May 2027.
In a statement, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex described the move as a "welcome step forward." They emphasized the need for tech companies to create safer platforms and hold themselves accountable, stating, "Lasting change requires safer platforms by design, meaningful accountability, and a commitment to putting children's well-being ahead of engagement and profit." The couple also highlighted that the burden of online safety should not rest solely on parents and children.
The UK joins countries like Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia in implementing or considering similar legislation. Harry and Meghan have long advocated for online safety, using their charitable organization, Archewell Philanthropies, to raise awareness about the dangers of social media. They recently introduced the Lost Screen Memorial in New York City, part of their No Child Lost to Social Media campaign.
Despite the Sussexes' praise, some experts, like Jeffrey Demarco from Save the Children UK, caution that a blanket ban might push children into less regulated online spaces. The UK government's plan includes banning platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube, but not messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal.
GB News reported that during a recent tour of Australia, Harry commended the country for leading the way in social media regulation, calling their law "epic."