Prince Harry's recent address on online safety for children at the Clinton Global Initiative summit in New York has sparked a fresh wave of criticism, notably from British broadcaster Piers Morgan.
During the summit, Prince Harry launched the Archewell Foundation Parent's Network, a program designed to support parents as they navigate the online world with their children. The prince used his platform to call for greater accountability from tech companies, urging them to take responsibility for the harm caused to young users by social media.
"While we embolden both youth and parents, we must also hold digital platforms accountable," Harry emphasized. He pointed out that society should not tolerate a world where there are no consequences or accountability, particularly when it comes to the safety of children in digital spaces.
The Duke of Sussex shared personal anecdotes, including revealing that his phone's lock screen features a picture of his children, Archie and Lilibet, underscoring the importance of protecting the next generation. He then displayed heartbreaking images of children who had tragically taken their own lives due to the pressures of social media, highlighting the urgent need for action.
However, Piers Morgan wasted no time in firing back at the prince. Morgan, who has frequently attacked Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, in public forums, took to X (formerly Twitter) to draw a sharp comparison between the negative impact of social media on children and the damage Harry himself has allegedly caused to the royal family. "Does he have any advice for how the Royal Family can be protected from the harmful effects of people abusing them in books, Netflix docs, podcasts, and TV interviews with Oprah?" Morgan posted.
Morgan's critique follows a pattern of sharp public rebukes toward the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, particularly since their departure from royal duties in 2020. Over the years, the broadcaster has accused the couple of hypocrisy, especially in their media ventures, which include a controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey, a Netflix docuseries, and Harry's memoir, Spare.
Prince Harry's New York appearance is part of a broader effort to address global issues during his three-day visit, which included engagements tied to the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week and Climate Week. In his speech, Harry underscored the devastating consequences of unchecked social media, stating, "These children and thousands more, meant the world to their families. The beautiful faces you see before you, their smiles, their dreams, all lost, all too soon and all because of social media."
The Archewell Foundation Parent's Network aims to serve as a resource for families, offering guidance and support for those affected by the harmful effects of the online world. "We launched the Parents Network, a global community that provides crucial support to parents whose children have suffered from the harmful effects of social media," Harry explained.
Despite the positive reception from many attendees, Harry's message was met with the familiar backlash from critics like Morgan. The former Good Morning Britain host has long been an outspoken critic of Harry and Meghan, frequently accusing them of seeking media attention while claiming to value privacy. His latest comment fits into a broader narrative he has pushed, accusing Harry of harming the royal family through his various media projects.
Morgan's criticism also connects to Harry's ongoing legal battles with the British press. In 2019, Harry launched a lawsuit against Mirror Group Newspapers, alleging unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking. In 2023, during his High Court case, Harry claimed that Morgan had used his media platforms to launch personal attacks as a form of retaliation for the lawsuit. "As a consequence of me bringing my Mirror Group claim, both myself and my wife have been subjected to a barrage of horrific personal attacks and intimidation from Piers Morgan," Harry stated in a witness testimony.
Morgan has consistently denied any involvement in illegal phone hacking during his tenure as editor of the Daily Mirror. Following a court ruling in favor of some of Harry's claims, Morgan reiterated his denial and took aim at Harry's alleged hypocrisy, accusing him of benefiting from media intrusion while condemning it.
