‘Harry and Meghan need to put in boundaries to protect Archie and Lilibet’s mental health

Last week the Duke and Duchess of Sussex added their voices to the public figures speaking out on World Mental Health Day.The couple used the occasion to open up about about the fears they harbour for their children and how social media causes such damaging effects to our mental wellbeing.Taking to the stage alongside her husband at the Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit: Mental Wellness In A Digital Age, Meghan looked close to tears as she passionately told the audience how she’s “frightened” about the potential consequences of Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, using social media as they grow up.

She told the crowd, “I feel fortunate that our children are at an age, quite young, so this isn’t in our immediate future, but I also feel frightened at how social media is continuing to change and this will be in front of us." Having previously spoken to families affected by the issue, she told those gathered at Hudson Yards: “At that time, it was impossible to not be in tears, as I’m sure some of you have been today hearing those stories.

You can hear those stories again and again and it’s still going to have the same emotional impact because it’s just that devastating. “Social media is not going away and look, I think by design, there is an entry point that’s supposed to be positive and create a community, and something has devolved.There’s no way to hear that and not try to help these families have their stories be heard.” It’s a narrative that many parents of young people will relate to but, for Harry and Meghan, the fierce instinct to shield Archie and Lilibet from harm is an even greater challenge, given their unique positions in life.