Prince Harry's Emotional Plea: 'My Lock Screen Is a Picture of My Kids—What's Yours?' as He Highlights Social Media Dangers (original) (raw)
Prince Harry’s visit to New York City continues with a powerful speaking engagement for the Clinton Foundation about the dangers of children consuming online content.
On Tuesday, Sept. 24, Harry delivered remarks solo on stage and, as he did so, spoke in front of a screen filled with images of phone lock screens. The photos on the lock screens were children whose lives were lost to social media, which stayed in the background as Harry revealed that "My lock screen is a picture of my kids. What's yours?" he told the crowd, referring to Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, who he shares with wife Meghan Markle.
In his remarks, Harry spoke about the importance of no more children being lost to social media and how it has become a crisis that cannot be ignored. He mentioned the work of his and Meghan's new initiative, The Parents Network, created to help families with children impacted by traumas related to social media. The couple spoke about the new venture on CBS Sunday Morning on Aug. 4, telling Jane Pauley they wanted to protect their children from harmful online content.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speaks onstage during Day 2 of the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 Annual Meeting at New York Hilton Midtown on Sept. 24, 2024 in New York City.
Craig Barritt/Getty
On stage at CGI on Sept. 24, Harry said it was because of children lost to social media and the parents left behind to grieve as to why "we at the Archewell Foundation are committed to this issue," he said.
Prince Harry said that he, like many, didn't grow up with a phone, and that "Young people today possess an incredible understanding of technology that older generations may struggle to grasp."
He added, "Our laws and regulations are different, state to state, country to country. We may have different backgrounds, viewpoints, beliefs and even access to the internet itself, but the one thing that we can universally agree on is the safety of our children."
Harry went on to speak about how online platforms, specifically social media, are designed to create addictions, and told the crowd, "Kids may get into trouble. I know a thing or two about that," he said to laughter.
"We have the fate of the future — their future — in our hands," he said before the crowd gave him a standing ovation as his remarks concluded.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speaks onstage during Day 2 of the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 Annual Meeting at New York Hilton Midtown on Sept. 24, 2024 in New York City.
Craig Barritt/Getty
During the couple's CBS Sunday Morning appearance, Meghan shared more about their concern for online safety: "Our kids are young — they're 3 and 5. They're amazing. But all you want to 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."
Harry added, "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."
Meghan encouraged everyone to "look at it through the lens of 'What if it was my daughter? What if it was my son?' "
She added, "If you look at it through the lens as a parent, there's no way to see that any other way than to try to find a solution."
Prince Harry joined a lineup that included actor Matt Damon and Chef José Andrés for the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting, with Harry speaking on day two of the event. This year’s annual meeting of the nonpartisan organization founded by former U.S. President Bill Clinton focused on “What’s Working” to address “climate resilience, global health equity, gun violence, the protection of journalists, humanitarian crises and other pressing global challenges,” PEOPLE previously reported.
Harry’s participation in the event was announced Sept. 5. In addition to Prince Harry, Damon and Andrés, other celebrities participated included Sophia Bush, Ginger Zee and many more.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex speaks onstage during Day 2 of the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 Annual Meeting at New York Hilton Midtown on Sept. 24, 2024 in New York City.
Craig Barritt/Getty
“This year’s @ClintonGlobal is going to be a great meeting. Let’s get to work!" Clinton wrote on X, reposting a report from the Associated Press, which said that Prince Harry, Damon and Andrés were “set to speak” there.
The former president, 78, told the AP that the 2024 CGI would “double down” on efforts.
“We started CGI because we wanted to have a meeting where people didn’t just talk about big problems, but where we could roll up our sleeves and get something done,” Clinton said in a statement to the outlet. “It’s more important than ever to be optimistic and realize we all have the ability to make a difference.”
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attends the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 Annual Meeting at New York Hilton Midtown on Sept. 24, 2024 in New York City.
John Nacion/Getty
During his jam-packed visit to New York City, Harry also undertook engagements with The Diana Award, The HALO Trust and African Parks on Sept. 23, and, in addition to attending CGI, will take part in work surrounding Lesotho and Travalyst on Sept. 24.
Harry’s visit to N.Y.C. was announced via a spokesperson on Aug. 27, when it was made public that the Duke of Sussex would visit N.Y.C. during UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week. Climate Week kicked off on Sept. 22 and runs until Sept. 29, and High-level Week runs from Sept. 23 to Sept. 27.
Prince Harry is visiting New York City to “advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic activities,” the spokesperson said, adding he would also “be furthering the work of The Archewell Foundation, the nonprofit organization he co-founded with his wife Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.”
Meghan, 43, did not join her husband for this trip to New York City.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive at the United Nations Headquarters on July 18, 2022 in New York City.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty
Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
The timing of Harry’s visit coincides with another event happening in N.Y.C. around Prince William’s Earthshot Prize. On Sept. 24, the Prince of Wales’ global environmental contest and Bloomberg Philanthropies will co-host the third annual Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit at the Plaza Hotel, though Prince William will not be in attendance.