Royals

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Are Worried About Online Safety—For Archie, Lilibet, and All Kids

“Every parent needs to be a first responder,” Prince Harry said, ahead of a visit to Colombia to raise awareness about the issue.
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are putting their work promoting online safety on the front burner with series of major appearances. Meghan and Harry sat down with anchor Jane Pauley for CBS Sunday Morning interview that will air on August 4, where they will share the results of a new Archewell Foundation pilot program supporting parents who have been affected by the issue.

In a preview clip, Meghan explains that her role as mother to Archie and Lilibet has helped her understand the importance of the issue. “Our kids are younger, three and five, and they’re amazing,” she said. “But all you want to do as parents is protect them, so as we can see what is happening in the online space, we know there’s a lot of work to be done there and we’re just happy to be a part of change for good.”

Harry added that many parents don’t know how to support their children through the ill effects of social media and online harm. “At this point we’ve gotten to the stage where nearly every parent has to be a first responder, and even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to tell the signs of possible suicide.”

Soon, Meghan and Harry will continue that advocacy on an international stage. On Thursday, Vice President Francia Márquez announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will visit the South American country for a trip including stops in Bogotá, Cartagena, and Cali, marking their first public visit to the region.

“In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress,” wrote Márquez, who also serves as the nation’s minister of equality and equity. “In addition to these meaningful interactions, The Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia.”

She added that Meghan and Harry’s trip is intended to highlight online safety issues to raise awareness ahead of the first Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, which will take place in Bogotá in November. The couple will take part in activities related to the conference’s “comprehensive framework for creating safer physical and digital spaces, tackling issues such as cyberbullying, online exploitation, and the mental health impacts of these threats.”

The trip will mark the couple’s second international tour of the year, following a three-day visit to Nigeria in May, which came at the invitation of the country’s defense minister. In June, Vanity Fair reported that Meghan and Harry’s Archewell Foundation was making a long term investment in curriculum related to youth mental health with the GEANCO Foundation, a Los Angeles-based charity that funds education and medical projects in Nigeria.