Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have described a new campaign, partly funded by their Archewell Foundation, which aims to tackle the online abuse of children. Speaking on CBS, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex described their own children as “amazing” and said their top priority is protecting them. Harry referred to parents as “first responders” but said even the best of them can’t always tell if their child is being bullied, even to the point of severe mental health problems such as suicidal ideation.
It is not the first time the couple has addressed online life. At a New York event last October, they appeared alongside parents who had lost their children to online bullying. They called on big tech firms to take action and alter their platforms, making them less prone to addiction and harassment. Speaking to tech companies, Prince Harry asked that they only allow content they would want their own children exposed to.
Of particular concern to the Royal couple is a phenomenon known as “cyberbullying.” Experts define this as using technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target a person on the internet. Studies find that kids who are subjected to cyberbullying can develop significant mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. Some young people have committed suicide, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that 13% of US teenagers have made a serious suicide attempt. The agency also states that 14% of American teens experience cyberbullying.
Experts have devised information for parents on how to spot the signs that their child may be suffering. Indicators include the child being emotional or upset after being online, being secretive, spending an unusually long time in their rooms, withdrawing from family activities, avoiding school, mood changes, loss of appetite, and being nervous or upset when their phone indicates activity.
Parents are urged to offer encouragement and tell their children that bullying is not their fault. They should also keep a record of any cyberbullying, inform the child’s school, and, if appropriate, arrange counselling. Parents should also block bullies and keep a close eye on their children’s online activity, experts say.
