At a star-studded gala in New York City on October 9, 2025, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took center stage not as royals, but as parents and advocates, urging families everywhere to rally against what they called the "predatory algorithms" of social media giants. The couple, honored as Humanitarians of the Year by Project Healthy Minds, used the moment to shine a spotlight on the urgent need for digital safety, especially for children growing up in an era of rapidly advancing, largely unregulated artificial intelligence.
Standing before a packed crowd at Spring Studios in Manhattan, Meghan spoke candidly about the challenges she and Harry face as parents to Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. "Can you believe it? Luckily, still too young for social media," she said, drawing a knowing laugh from the audience. "But we know that day is coming. And like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits while safeguarding against its dangers. And that hopeful intention of separation is rapidly becoming impossible."
The couple’s remarks came at the annual gala for Project Healthy Minds, a millennial- and Gen Z-driven tech nonprofit dedicated to connecting people with mental health care. Their words struck a chord with many in the room, especially as they cited new research from the advocacy group ParentsTogether. According to ParentsTogether, staff posing as children encountered harmful interactions every five minutes while using an artificial intelligence chatbot on the app Character.AI. "This wasn’t content created by a third party. These were the companies’ own chatbots working to advance their own depraved internal policies," Prince Harry warned, highlighting the depth of the problem.
But the couple wasn’t just there to sound the alarm—they came with solutions. Announcing a new partnership, they revealed that their Archewell Foundation’s Parents Network would join forces with ParentsTogether. The goal: to empower families in what ParentsTogether Executive Director Ailen Arreaza described as "a David vs. Goliath fight." Arreaza didn’t mince words, saying, "We are up against these multi-billionaire companies that are actively trying to get our kids addicted. And so, we really try to destigmatize that shame and guilt that parents might feel."
Since stepping away from their royal duties and launching the Archewell Foundation in 2020, Harry and Meghan have made youth mental health a cornerstone of their philanthropic mission. Their efforts now extend beyond warning about social media’s harms—they’re also challenging the design features of platforms that, in their view, amplify damaging content. At a World Mental Health Day Festival panel presented by the Archewell Foundation, young people shared harrowing stories about how algorithms can prey on emotional vulnerabilities. One teenage advocate described developing an eating disorder after TikTok’s algorithm relentlessly pushed weight-loss videos onto her feed. "When we talk about social media and how young people rely on it, we also need to talk about: how can we address these needs in-person so that they’re getting the same support that they need?" asked Jayla Stokesberry, a research assistant at Hopelab.
Harry, who has spoken out in the past about holding social media companies accountable, reiterated the urgency of the issue. Last year, he described an "epidemic" of anxiety, depression, and social isolation among young people, driven by negative online experiences. According to numerous studies, as cited by the Associated Press, there are still few guardrails to prevent children from encountering age-inappropriate content, including pornography and violence, as well as cyberbullying and sexual harassment.
The issue is deeply personal for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Meghan has been open about her own struggles with mental health, citing the intense pressures of royal life and relentless tabloid scrutiny. Harry’s experiences with media intrusion—ranging from phone hacking to invasive reporting—are equally well-documented. Their advocacy, however, is not just about their own family. "Tonight, we are all here together to focus on what remains one of the most pressing issues of our time," Harry told the crowd. "This is a pivotal moment in our collective mission to protect children and support families in the digital age, and we cannot do it without you."
Meghan echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the power of collective action. "We’ve seen it happen and we’re watching it grow," she said. "And with your support, we’ll continue building a safer digital world for all of our children. So, on behalf of my husband and I, thank you so much for being here tonight. Thank you all of you for your support and thank you for standing with us as we continue this vital work."
The couple’s advocacy is also rooted in their own parenting journey. Meghan has often reflected on the joys and challenges of raising Archie and Lilibet in the digital age. Speaking at the gala, she noted, "Being a mom is the most important thing in my entire life—outside, of course, being a wife to this one," she said, gesturing to Harry. "But I will say, I feel fortunate that our children are at an age, again quite young, so this isn’t in our immediate future, but I also feel frightened at how it’s continuing to change and this will be in front of us." She added, "Everyone is affected by the online world and social media. We all just want to feel safe."
Their commitment to family and mental health has been evident since Archie’s birth in May 2019 and Lilibet’s arrival on June 4, 2021. After Lilibet’s birth, the couple said in a statement, "She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family."
Beyond their own foundation’s work, the gala celebrated other champions of mental health. Indianapolis Colts co-owner and chief brand officer Kalen Jackson received the inaugural Sports Visionary of the Year Award, presented by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, for her Kicking The Stigma initiative. Jackson’s efforts, inspired by her own struggles with anxiety and her late father Jim Irsay’s legacy, have expanded access to mental health care across Indiana and beyond.
Project Healthy Minds CEO Phil Schermer underscored the importance of celebrities like Harry and Meghan in destigmatizing mental health conversations. "Culture makers" inspire their followers to seek care, he said, but the "moment of inspiration is fleeting." That’s why partnerships with trusted organizations are vital. Schermer also highlighted the role of NBC’s Carson Daly, who has spoken publicly about his anxiety, in making it "cool to talk about your emotions." As Schermer put it, "It’s not just the absence of a stigma. It’s also the presence of a sense of pride that by being vulnerable, being honest, being open, that that’s actually your greatest superpower."
The funds raised at the gala will help Project Healthy Minds develop new tools to connect people with mental health care tailored to their insurance and preferences for in-person or telehealth services—features Schermer compared to travel planning sites like Expedia.
As Harry and Meghan continue their campaign for digital safety and mental health, their message is clear: in a world where technology’s influence is only growing, it will take a united front—parents, advocates, and organizations alike—to protect the next generation. Their work, and the community they’re building, just might be the hope families need in these challenging times.
