Meghan Markle Calls for Global Action on Children's Online Safety

The Duchess of Sussex urged global health leaders to treat children's online safety as a public health issue during a memorial event in Geneva, Switzerland. She spoke at the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial on Sunday, where she was joined by World Health Organisation director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The duchess said children are being shaped by systems designed to capture attention at any cost. She cited relentless algorithms, exploitative engagement, and exposure to harmful content that children do not seek out.

Meghan stated that new technologies such as AI are accelerating and amplifying past mistakes rather than repeating them. She said new forms of harm are emerging faster than systems can respond, affecting children at large scale and across borders. She added that danger now travels globally in an instant and that protections must match that speed.

The duchess called on attendees to speak up and demand better from the platforms shaping children's lives.

The memorial was hosted by the World Health Organisation and Archewell Philanthropies, the charitable foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It was held in partnership with The Parents' Network and took place ahead of the 79th World Health Assembly.