King Charles is worried about today’s youth.
Specifically, his concern is with social media and its effect on young people. That’s something his son, Prince Harry, and daughter-in-law, Meghan Markle have spoken out about in the past.
In April, the pair highlighted similar issues when unveiling the Lose Screen Memorial. The installation of 50 smartphone-shaped light boxes honors children whose families believe online content might have led to their loved one’s death.
The King spoke with Reverend Tommy MacNeil, who runs a mental health charity called the Shed Project on the Isle of Lewis.
King Charles worries about the impact of social media on young people
Combating social media’s negativity is a cause numerous members of the royal family have preached over the years. After his 40-minute meeting at Balmoral Castle with Reverend Tommy, the King has the same concerns as his two sons.
Charles left the meeting “very concerned about the negative impact social media was having on young people,” Tommy told the Telegraph. He notes that the stuff young people are accessing on their phones these days is “frightening.”
The King’s oldest son, Prince William, has a Stop, Speak, Support campaign in hopes of countering cyberbullying. Working with platforms like Snapchat and Facebook, he created a youth-led code of conduct. William has slammed social media firms multiple times for failing to tackle misinformation, hate speech, and other issues.
Fighting against the toxicity of social media is one of the few things William and his estranged brother see eye-to-eye on. Harry has said he wants ensure no more kids get lost to social media. The Prince, who recently met with his father, has also said that he’s grateful his children are still too young to be online. Princess Lilibet is four, while Prince Archie is six.
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