logo
Life is better off social media, says Prince Harry

Life is better off social media, says Prince Harry

Telegraph24-04-2025

The Duke of Sussex has said life is 'better' when spent off social media.
Prince Harry spoke out as he and wife Meghan unveiled a memorial in New York dedicated to children who have lost their lives because of the harms of the internet.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the Prince said: 'Life is better off of social media. I say that as a parent and I say that as someone who has spoken to many of the kids here tonight who aren't on social media because they have lost a brother or a sister to social media.
'But clearly enough is not being done. Some of the stories here are truly harrowing.'
The installation unveiled by the couple on Thursday in Manhattan is made up of 50 smartphones that each display the picture of a child who died 'due to the harms of social media'.
The Duke, who set up the Parents' Network with Meghan as part of the couple's charitable Archewell Foundation, described some of the stories that made up the memorial as 'full-blown crime scenes'.
He said: 'Having done this for the last three years and being aware of it for the last five years, you think you've heard the worst of it until nights like this here in America, some of these stories are … full-blown crime scenes.'
The children's images were shared by parents who are part of the Parents' Network, which the couple launched last August as a resource for parents whose children have experienced harm on social media. The Sussexes attended a private vigil with the parents on Wednesday night.
Prince Harry added that technology companies were 'getting away with it' by arguing they did not need to disclose information to families in the UK because of privacy considerations.
'You are telling a parent, you are telling a dad and a mum that they can't have the details of what their kid was up to on social media because of the privacy of their kid … It's wrong,' he said.
Also speaking to the BBC, the Duchess added: 'No matter how polarised the world is, or what people may or may not agree on, one thing we can all agree on is that children should be safe…and I think tonight these stories solidify that.'
Asked what she would like to see change, she said: 'I think for those who do choose to be online and to be in social media as adults … that we get to set the example and really put as much good and joy into the world as we can.'
The Duchess announced her return to social media, where she has amassed 2.8 million followers on Instagram, at the beginning of the year.
She has since shared posts advertising her commercial brand, As Ever, and her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder, as well as childhood pictures and a Valentine's tribute to her husband.
When she rejoined the platform, it was said she planned to 'authentically share moments of joy and inspiration from her life'.
The Duchess launched the @‌Meghan Instagram handle in the summer of 2022, but had never used it until January this year.
Since then, she says, she has been committed to promoting a 'joyful and thoughtful' approach to online engagement that inspires positivity.
While she recognises that there is still work to be done on social media, she is confident that by returning to Instagram, she can 'lead by example' in demonstrating how it can be used for good, a source said at the time.
On Thursday, the Duchess said: 'Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.
'I think in many ways what we see through these parents is the hope and the promise of something better because every single one of them and their resilience is an example…we are just here to support them in such a huge way.'
Speaking about their two children, Prince Archie, five, and Princess Lilibet, three, Prince Harry said: 'We're just grateful that our kids are too young to be on social media at this point.'
Asked about what will happen when they are no longer able to avoid it, he added: 'One of the reasons why we're doing [this] is because us – collectively with all these parents – want to make sure that things are changed so that no more parents, no more kids are lost to social media.
'It's unacceptable, it's wrong. It's no longer a secret and yet these companies are given this power to be able to conceal the truth from parents as to why their kid took their life.'
The couple have previously urged global leaders to address protections for young people in the digital sphere with 'urgency'.
They have been increasingly campaigning for more rigorous controls of the digital sphere since 2024 and have previously discussed the threats posed by fake news and online abuse and bullying.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

People just finding out unusual way new babies are celebrated in Switzerland
People just finding out unusual way new babies are celebrated in Switzerland

Daily Record

timea day ago

  • Daily Record

People just finding out unusual way new babies are celebrated in Switzerland

It is always fun to celebrate when a loved one welcomes a baby and people are just realising a sweet way that people in Switzerland announce the news and name of a little one It is always exciting when one of our friends or family members welcomes a little one into the world. From baby showers to 'welcome to the world' parties, gifts, balloons, cards, and more there are plenty of ways that we celebrate the amazing news across the world. However, people are just realising the sweet way that babies in Switzerland are welcomed. It comes as recently, people travelling to Switzerland began to notice signs around the country with an animal or character on, a name and a date of birth - and wondering what it symbolises. An Australian woman, who has moved to Switzerland, has been sharing interesting insights she has discovered since moving. ‌ The mum, who as Aussie Spat Mum online, shared a video of the signs and said: "In Switzerland, when a baby is born, the whole village gets the news... literally!" ‌ She added: "Birth signs with the baby's name and date of birth pop up on buildings, balconies and front yards to welcome the newest little one!" The announcements are known as 'Geburtstafeln' which are essentially birth signs, typically displayed on a pole or tree. It is typically put up until family and friends come round to celebrate the new baby, and then it is taken down. Commenting on the Instagram post, one individual said: "Let me share how it's done in central Switzerland: you get them from friends, family, godparents or your "verein". After one year, the parents are supposed to take them down with a "Täfelifescht". This means you organize a BBQ or similar social gathering event where all the people are invited who got you a sign." One Swiss man added: "We use this as an open competition for the worst baby names." While another person said: "I need to experience this land of joy and happiness." ‌ Someone else said they also use the tradition in the Netherlands, while another added: "In Germany some people show it by hanging newborn clothes or a little wooden stork outside as well." On Reddit, another individual said: "I live in Nidwalden, close to Lucerne and they're so normal here that it's seen as odd when people don't do it. They're called 'Geburtstafeln', so literally 'birth signs'. They are hanged on the balcony when a child is born and they have the name of the child and its birth date written on them." ‌ Another wrote: "This is common in Switzerland especially in the German speaking part. They have this & later on the kids keep them." Someone else pointed out that they used to do this in the US more than they do now, but "police recommend against it because it puts your child at risk of abduction." On Facebook, Welcome Switzerland wrote: "In Switzerland, welcoming a newborn means more than just cards and social media posts! ‌ "Families proudly announce the arrival with cute front yard signs, especially in rural areas! Does your country have a unique way to celebrate new arrivals?" According to website Geburtstafeln Schweiz, these signs can be quite expensive, costing between £90 and £120 for one. Did you know this? Comment below...

Prince Harry's plan for kids' future 'makes no sense', says royal expert
Prince Harry's plan for kids' future 'makes no sense', says royal expert

Daily Record

time2 days ago

  • Daily Record

Prince Harry's plan for kids' future 'makes no sense', says royal expert

A Royal expert has questioned Harry and Meghan's plan for their children's futures. The Sussex family may no longer be active as royals or carry out duties for the King Charles. But despite their controversial withdrawal from the royal family, they reportedly are open to their children playing their part in the monarchy. Sources close to the Sussexes have said that the pair do in fact want Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who just turned four, to retain their royal titles, so they will be able to choose to become working royals if they want to when they reach adulthood. It comes after the source claimed Harry and Meghan feared passports for their children were being held up due to the use of their HRH titles. ‌ It was claimed that the Sussexes were left frustrated as they waited months for British passports to arrive, and reportedly believed it was due to the fact they included their children's royal titles on the application. But former BBC royal expert Jennie Bond has questioned why Harry and Meghan appear so keen to cling onto titles for their children - even though they have previously hit out against the institution of monarchy. ‌ The expert told the Mirror: "I really don't understand why, having extricated themselves from a life they did not enjoy and in which Harry has publicly spoken of 'feeling trapped', they want to give their children the option of re-joining. It makes no sense. "Who knows what's going to happen in the future? But it's very hard to see how two children who are clearly now more American than British would want to change their whole way of life and become working members of the royal family." Archie and Lilibet were given prince and princess titles when their grandfather King Charles became monarch in 2022. The first time their titles were formally announced was after Lilibet's christening in March 2023. It is said that the passport delay caused Harry to approach the possibility of changing his family surname to Spencer in a nod to his late mother, Princess Diana. And Jennie added: "I think Harry has always been more Spencer than Windsor, so if he was ever going to change his name, it would be to Spencer. "But this would be a final nail in the coffin of his relationship with his father and his brother. It would amount to a public declaration that he no longer saw himself as part of the royal family." ‌ There has been continued controversy over the Sussexes' HRH titles since the pair quit their royal roles five years ago. As part of their Megxit negotiations with the Palace, Meghan and the Duke of Sussex agreed to stop using 'Her Royal Highness' and 'His Royal Highness' at the end of March 2020. ‌ They still retain the styles, with Harry having had his since birth, but they are essentially held in abeyance, and so are not in active use. However, earlier this year, it emerged that Meghan had used her HRH style on a gift basket sent to make-up entrepreneur Jamie Kern Lima last year, with a monogrammed card reading: 'With Compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex'. Kern Lima showed an image of the present in footage of her podcast interview with Meghan. It contained a jar of Meghan's jam which she has started selling as part of her As Ever lifestyle business brand. A source described the basket as a 'personal gift'. The duchess's representatives denied that the couple used their royal titles, but a source later said that the Sussexes did not use HRH publicly, but retained the style, and did not use it for commercial purposes. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

Technician Takeover highlights careers in pest control
Technician Takeover highlights careers in pest control

Scotsman

time3 days ago

  • Scotsman

Technician Takeover highlights careers in pest control

A national trade body is handing control of its social media platforms to five pest technicians from across the UK for World Pest Day (June 6). Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... BPCA members will be posting from the association's Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X accounts to highlight the benefits of a career in the pest control industry. Pest professionals have a key role to play in protecting public health, supporting businesses and safeguarding wildlife and natural environments. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The industry offers a variety of career opportunities and specialisms, such as working with birds of prey, field biologist and product development. Harry Leyland and Aislyn Risk Taking part in the technician takeover is: Aislyn Risk, Pest Solutions, Scotland Carl and Craig Hoult, Reaper Bird Solutions, Norfolk Elsie Anderson, Pest Solutions Scotland Harry Leyland, PestForce, Doncaster Karen Dawes, Training and Development Manager at BPCA, said: 'There are many routes to a successful career in professional pest management, from people leaving military service or looking for a career change, to young people and university graduates considering their next steps. 'BPCA membership encompasses a huge range of businesses operating in domestic, commercial and industrial sectors, using specialist techniques that protect the food chain, homes, businesses, wildlife and the environment from the potentially harmful impact of a pest infestation.' Carl Hoult, Elsie Anderson, Craig Hoult Visit the BPCA careers page ( or get in touch to find out more about careers in pest control. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad BPCA member businesses are endorsed by the Government via the TrustMark quality scheme as they must carry the correct insurances and are trained and qualified technicians who are assessed to the British Standard in pest management EN 16636 and follow BPCA's Codes of Best Practice.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store