Sussexes Warn on Children’s Phone Use Echoing Princess

Published: 10 October 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have joined the Princess of Wales in raising concerns about the impact of social media and technology on children, highlighting the growing risks of digital exposure for younger generations. The couple spoke about these dangers during the Project Healthy Minds gala in New York on Thursday night, where they were named “Humanitarians of the Year.”

Hours before their appearance, the Princess of Wales published a personal essay warning that the overreliance on mobile phones and devices was undermining family life and contributing to an “epidemic of distraction.” She cautioned that the reduced human connection caused by technology was leaving children more isolated, lonelier, and less equipped to develop meaningful relationships.

Prince Harry, described by Project Healthy Minds as a humanitarian, mental health advocate, environmentalist, and military veteran, addressed the audience while accepting the award. He spoke about the urgent need to protect children from the predatory effects of social media algorithms. “When we learnt that thousands of families from every corner of society were facing the same challenges, many learning for the first time that it was actually social media that took their child, we knew this movement needed to grow,” he said.

He emphasised that families are often up against large corporations and lobbyists spending millions to influence narratives, alongside algorithms designed to maximise data collection at any cost. “And their kids? They weren’t struggling with mental health issues, they weren’t distinctly vulnerable, they were preyed upon,” he added.

The Duchess of Sussex echoed these concerns, highlighting the challenges parents face in balancing technology’s benefits with its risks. Speaking about her own children, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, she said: “Like so many parents, we think constantly about how to embrace technology’s benefits while safeguarding against its dangers. That hopeful intention of separation is rapidly becoming impossible.”

In her essay, the Princess of Wales described how smartphones, tablets, and computers have become constant sources of distraction, fragmenting attention and preventing families from giving one another the undivided focus that relationships require. “Look the people you care about in the eye and be fully there – because that is where love begins,” she wrote.

Project Healthy Minds also highlighted Prince Harry’s autobiography, Spare, which became the fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time. The memoir, which includes criticisms of the Royal household, contributed to ongoing tensions between him and other members of the Royal Family.

Since relocating to California with the Duchess of Sussex in 2020, the couple has engaged in multiple charitable and commercial projects, including partnerships with Netflix and Spotify. Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, also runs a lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, and has been a consistent advocate for women and girls, integrating this focus into her humanitarian and business ventures.

The gala ceremony, hosted by Emmy award-winning presenter Carson Daly, followed a “festive cocktail” theme. Both the Duke and Duchess opted for semi-formal black suits during the event.

In a joint statement, they said: “Working with families and young people to prioritise safety online has been some of the most meaningful work of our lives. As parents ourselves, we have been moved to action by the power of their stories and are honoured to support them. We’re proud to be long-time partners of Project Healthy Minds as we work together to shine a light on what remains one of the most pressing issues of our time.”

The Sussexes arrived in New York earlier this week for a three-day visit coinciding with World Mental Health Day on Friday. Their public statements and participation in the gala underscore a growing concern about the influence of technology on children’s development, mental health, and family dynamics, reinforcing similar warnings made by the Princess of Wales.

By publicly joining the conversation, the Duke and Duchess are urging parents, policymakers, and tech companies to consider stricter measures to protect young people online, highlighting the need for more responsible digital engagement and oversight. Their message echoes a broader international debate over the role of social media in shaping children’s mental wellbeing, educational outcomes, and social development.