NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Food
  • Win
  • Recipes
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Royals

Social media can ‘skew’ young people’s sense of self-worth, says Meghan

The duchess gives a passionate address. - by Press Association
  • 29 Oct 2018

The Duchess of Sussex has said young people and their sense of self-worth can become “really skewed” by social media.

Meghan was speaking to youngsters about how unrealistic images on sites such as Instagram can have an impact on mental health.

The duke and the duchess attended a beachside cafe in Wellington, New Zealand, and were praised for their efforts in highlighting mental health issues.

Meghan spoke to staff and volunteers from Live for Tomorrow, an online youth programme focused on reaching millennials with messages of positive change, and said: “Young people find it so difficult.

Kensington Palace on Twitter

“You see photos on social media and you don’t know whether she’s born with it or maybe it’s a filter.

“Your judgment of your sense of self-worth becomes really skewed when it’s all based on likes.”

The couple spent 45 minutes discussing mental wellbeing and learnt about initiatives and programmes supporting mental health in New Zealand, with a focus on youth.

The duke also spoke about social media, suggesting that parents needed educating as much as children.

news
PA

He said: “Issues stemming from social media and gaming are a major problem for young people in the UK and globally.

“Fingers are often pointed at the parents but that’s not always fair as they too need to be educated about these things.”

The Sussexes were at the Maranui cafe in New Zealand’s capital, the latest stop on their 16-day tour which has also seen them travel to Australia, Fiji and Tonga.

Harry spoke about his own struggles with mental health during the conversations, admitting that it took him years to confront his own inner turmoil.

He said: “It took me about three or four years to start the journey and then after that you still have to find the right people to speak to.”

Harry praised Voices of Hope for their 2017 viral video Dear Suicidal Me, which features young people who have overcome mental health issues reading their own suicide notes.

Kensington Palace on Twitter

The couple heard the video saved the life of a 15-year-old young girl in Canada.

“Her mother contacted us and said that her daughter was planning to take her life but then saw the video and went to speak to her instead,” said Jazz Thornton, co-founder of Voices of Hope.

“It saved her life.”

Harry said: “It’s amazing what you have done.

“I think anyone who has overcome mental health problems often go out of their own way to help others.”

  • Royals
  • News
  • Meghan Markle
  • Prince Harry
Press Association
PA is the UK’s leading provider of multimedia content and services. Established as the Press Association in 1868, PA remains the national news agency for the UK and Ireland, serving a broad range of customers including major media and digital brands around the world, businesses and public sector organisations.

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to New Idea & save!

Recommended to you

Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

Harry and Meghan arrive at New Zealand Cafe to discuss mental health

Prince Harry offers young New Zealander a job

Duke and Duchess of Sussex comfort overwhelmed fan

Searches for Meghan's banana bread soar

{headline}

{headline}

Meghan's designer maxi dress is worth THIS much

Missy Higgins let slip Meghan Markle's due date

Meghan Markle's mum Doria Ragland sparks MORE pregnancy rumours

{headline}

{headline}

US report: Meghan storms out on Harry

US report: ‘Camilla betrays Meghan’

The reason Meghan always looks good in photos comes down to her controversial dad

Meghan 'let slip her man troubles' during talk with mental health campaigner

Meghan ‘changed Prince Harry and it’s strained his friendship with Kate’

See Meghan and Harry's new home, Windsor's Frogmore Cottage

Meghan's palace diaries revealed

Meghan's palace diaries revealed

NewIdea
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
NewIdea Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions

Brands

  • Girlfriend
  • New Idea food
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from New Idea

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to New Idea & save!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to New Idea & save!