How are Meghan and Harry addressing Australia's sweeping social media restrictions? Royal couple issues forceful statement through Archewell

Meghan and Harry, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have joined the many who have reacted to Australia’s social media ban for kids under the age of 16. Recently, the couple released a statement via their Archwell Foundation. They commended Australia for taking such a huge step to protect its children.

“We celebrate Australia’s leadership for seeing and acting on how these technology companies are negatively impacting young people with little to no recourse or accountability, and feeble efforts from the companies to stem the flow of harms.”

Meghan and Harry described Australia’s actions as a bold step towards protecting children’s minds from being exploited.

“This bold, decisive action to protect children at a critical moment in their development sends a strong signal that a child’s mind is not a commodity to be exploited.”

However, the royal couple stressed that while the country’s action will help its children, it will not fix the ‘fundamental issue’ of social media.

“It buys young people valuable time back in their childhoods, but it doesn’t fix the fundamental issue we all still face with social media platforms.”

More details on Meghan and Harry’s statement

Beginning on Wednesday, kids under 16 in Australia will no longer be able to access 10 social media apps legally, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, Twitch, X, and Kick. This is so that it's children’s mental health can be protected.

Meghan and Harry, however, have a different truth. According to the statement released on their Archwell website, the couple believes the country’s action is only a ‘band aid’ and that it doesn't touch any of the core issues we are facing with social media.

“The ban is an effective measure to stop imminent harm, but ultimately only works as a band aid that does not address tech’s broken design and exploitive business incentives, requiring us to protect young people in the first place.”

They added:

“These platforms have immense potential for good, connection, and hope. But when there’s no option to opt out of the harms, the very lifeline they might depend on can become the very thing that kills them.”

Meghan and Harry also expressed hope that social media companies will learn from this and prioritize the well-being of young users.

“We look forward to the next step to hold tech accountable for its design choices and hope leaders of new technologies learn the lessons of failing to prioritize the well-being of young people.”

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