The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have launched a new online safety campaign designed to protect children called The Parents Network.
Announcing the news in a rare interview with CBS News Sunday Morning’s Jane Pauley, the controversial couple shed light on how their children had propelled the initiative, which is an extension of their charitable organisation The Archewell Foundation.
“Our kids are young. They’re three and five. They’re amazing,” Meghan shared.
“But all you wanna do as parents is protect them. So, as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good.”
In what was their first televised interview since their bombshell discussion with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, the former working royals said after Meghan’s own experiences with cyberbullying, they felt like more could be done to support victims, especially vulnerable youth.
“At this point, we’ve got to the stage where almost every parent needs 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. That is the terrifying piece of this.”
So what is the Parents Network?
According to the website, the initiative is free of charge and is a “private community for parents and caregivers bound by shared experiences of social media harms, focused around collective hearing.”
“Together, we are working to equip families with safe, intimate spaces where anyone in need can talk openly with others who’ve been there,” the website also notes.
The spaces in question are small, virtual peer-led groups where members can connect with others who are or have navigated similar experiences with their own loved ones.
Described as a global resource that is “here to help” all those who have children affected by social media harms and the “complex digital world”, The Parents Network also provides access to a range of informative guides to popular platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.
This isn’t the first time Prince Harry and his wife have advocated for a safer online world.
In February this year, the royals shared their support after the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to explore the issues facing children when exposed to the online world.
“We applaud the bravery and determination of the thousands of parents around the country whose advocacy resulted in this hearing. Over the past few years, we have spent much time with many of these families, listening to their heartache and their hopes for the urgent change that is needed in the online space,” they shared in a statement at the time.
Later this year, the Duke and Duchess will travel to Colombia to attend the World Ministerial Conference on the Elimination of Violence Against Children.
They are expected to take part in a number of official activities related to the topic.
If you are interested in signing up for The Parents Network, click here.
