Prince Harry wants to protect Archie and Lilibet from ‘online harm’

Prince Harry has shared his fears about social media and how he wants to protect his children Archie and Lilibet from “online harm”.

Prince Harry has expressed his concerns about the online world and how it will affect the younger generation, including his two children, Archie and Lilibet.

On Monday, the Duke of Sussex joined the 5Rights Foundation’s webinar on Global Child Online Safety Toolkit. The event discussed how the digital world and social media impacts children, according to People.

During the online seminar, the 37-year-old said although his children Archie, 3, and 11-month-old Lilibet, are too young to experience the online world yet, he worries about the future.

“As parents, my wife and I are concerned about the next generation growing up in a world where they are treated as digital experiments for companies to make money and where things like hatred and harm are somehow normalised,” the royal said.

“We want our children, and all children, to feel empowered to speak up.

“My two little ones are still at their age of innocence. Sometimes I feel like I can keep them away from the online harm that they could face in the future forever, but I’m learning to know better.”

Stay up to date with the latest news on the British Royals with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 >

"It is not realistic to protect kids from everything.
We need new laws. We need public pressure. We need strong leadership."

📢Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, at the @5RightsFound's & @GPtoEndViolence's event to launch their Child Online Safety Toolkit. pic.twitter.com/OpfD7Ggob1

— End Violence (@GPtoEndViolence) May 16, 2022

The monarch added that social media “isn’t working and needs to be fixed”.

“I’m not an expert on law or technology, but I am a father – and I’m lucky enough to be a father with a platform,” he said.

“My kids are too young to have experienced the online world yet, and I hope they never have to experience it as it exists now. No kid should have to.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Archie and Lilibet in 2021. Picture: Alexi Lubomirski/Handout/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

This is not the first time Prince Harry has shared his thoughts about social media.

Last year, the Duke told Fast Company that social media can “offer a means of connecting and community, which are vital to us as human beings”.

“We will revisit social media when it feels right for us – perhaps when we see more meaningful commitments to change or reform – but right now we’ve thrown much of our energy into learning about this space and how we can help,” he said.

In 2020, the royal penned an essay for the same publication about the dangers of social media platforms and how it could lead to hatred and misinformation.

“If we are susceptible to the coercive forces in digital spaces, then we have to ask ourselves – what does this mean for our children? As a father, this is especially concerning to me,” he wrote.

“It shouldn’t be seen as a coincidence that the rise of social media has been matched by a rise in division amongst us globally … We can – and must – encourage these platforms to redesign themselves in a more responsible and compassionate way. The world will feel it, and we will all benefit from it.”

Originally published as Prince Harry wants to protect Archie and Lilibet from ‘online harm’