Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have stepped forward to praise Australia for taking a bold stance on online safety for children.
The couple applauded the country’s world-first approach to social media restrictions, while also urging tech companies to step up and better protect young users.
Australia has become the first nation to set national age limits on social media, requiring ten major platforms—including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube—to block users under 16 from creating accounts.
Any platform that ignores the rules faces fines of up to $A49.5 million.
A Necessary Step, But Not the Whole Solution
In a 537-word statement released via their Archewell Foundation, Harry and Meghan acknowledged that such drastic measures should not have been necessary in the first place.
“We celebrate Australia’s leadership for recognizing how these technology companies are harming young people with little accountability,” the statement read.
“This decisive action protects children during a critical time in their development and sends a strong message: a child’s mind should not be treated as a commodity.”
While the ban is a meaningful step, the couple emphasized that it doesn’t solve the deeper issues.
“It buys kids valuable time back in their childhoods, but it’s only a band-aid.
The real problem lies in the platforms’ design and profit-driven incentives,” they explained.
Recognizing Social Media’s Potential
Harry and Meghan acknowledged that social media isn’t inherently harmful.
“These platforms can foster creativity, provide educational resources, and help young people connect with communities,” they said.
“For LGBTQ+ youth and those facing mental health crises, social media can even serve as a lifeline.”
However, the couple warned that when children have no way to avoid the harmful aspects of these platforms, what should be a lifeline can quickly become dangerous.
Advocates for Online Safety
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have consistently protected their own children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4, often concealing their faces in public photos.
Beyond personal privacy, the couple has been vocal about improving online safety through their Archewell Foundation.
In 2022, they launched The Parents’ Network, connecting families affected by social media-related harm or suicide.
Their latest statement highlighted the dangers children face: cyberbullying, algorithm-driven self-harm content, and manipulative engagement tactics that can devastate young lives.
Implementing the Ban and Its Challenges
Under Australia’s new rules, platforms must take “reasonable steps” to enforce the restrictions, including deactivating underage accounts and conducting monthly compliance checks.
However, Harry and Meghan cautioned that enforcement could create additional risks.
“Young people will live with these platforms whether it’s now or later in life.
They deserve technology that is safe by default, not just reactive measures to prevent harm,” they said.
Concerns remain over surveillance and whether age verification systems might compromise privacy.
Holding Tech Companies Accountable
The couple called on social media companies to rethink their priorities.
“We hope this ban is the beginning of a reckoning with tech companies that value growth over safety,” they said.
“American innovation has led to incredible progress, but we need a course correction to prioritize children’s well-being over engagement metrics.”
Australia’s government likened the ban to underage drinking laws: while some kids may find ways to bypass restrictions, the rules remain necessary.
Continuing the Advocacy
Harry and Meghan were recently honored with the Humanitarians of the Year Award at Project Healthy Minds for their work on digital safety and mental health.
In an October podcast with Hasan Minhaj, Harry spoke candidly about the challenges of raising children in the age of smartphones.
“We’ll be much more cautious about giving our kids access to social media,” he said.
“The problem is that many parents aren’t aware of the risks.
In no fair or ethical world should parents have to consider the hidden dangers of an app that seems harmless but opens the door to everything else.”
Looking Ahead
While Australia has set a global precedent with this social media ban, Harry and Meghan stress that the fight for safer digital spaces for children is far from over.
They hope this milestone encourages further accountability from tech companies and inspires solutions that make online spaces safe by design.
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