Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have come under fire for their stance on cyberbullying, particularly in light of past allegations that they engaged in bullying behaviors themselves. Critics, including royal author Angela Levin, have labeled the couple as "hypocrites" for their public campaign against online bullying while facing accusations of their own misconduct.
Levin's critique came during a segment on GB News, where she pointed out the inconsistency in the Sussexes' actions, especially regarding their dealings with the late Queen Elizabeth II. "They said they are really concerned about children being cyberbullied," Levin remarked. "You think, good heavens, perhaps Harry shouldn't have bullied Queen Elizabeth when she was so ill."
"Those last few months of her life, loads said that they were bullying her for money. It's this hypocrisy they have that makes it very difficult to believe them." Levin said.
The controversy extends to the Sussexes' recent video release, which supports victims of cyberbullying, with Meghan drawing an analogy between the internet and a car, emphasizing the need for safety measures like seatbelts. "When the car was first invented, there wasn't a seatbelt. And what happened? People started to get hurt, people started to die. So you started to change the car," Meghan said in the video.
This statement was part of a broader initiative by the couple to address online child safety, a topic that was also discussed at a recent U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the matter. The hearing saw representatives from major social media companies, including Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, facing serious allegations regarding their platforms' impact on children's mental health.
Despite their advocacy, the Sussexes' credibility has been questioned, not just by Levin but also by members of the public and other commentators. Critics argue that the couple's past actions, particularly those perceived as hostile towards the royal family, undermine their current stance on promoting kindness and safety online.
In their defense, Harry and Meghan have consistently emphasized the importance of creating a safe online environment, particularly for young users. "We need to get out of this idea that young kids, there's something wrong with them. No, it's the world that we're allowing to be created around them. Please stop sending children content that you wouldn't want your own children to see," Harry stated in the video.
The debate around the Sussexes' advocacy highlights the complex interplay between public figures' past behaviors and their current humanitarian efforts. As the conversation around online safety continues to evolve, the scrutiny of Harry and Meghan's role within it serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by those in the public eye attempting to enact positive change.
