Meghan Markle Opens Up to Teens About Online Bullying
In a world where digital interactions are becoming increasingly dominant, the weight of online bullying is a pressing issue, felt even by public figures like Meghan Markle. The Duchess of Sussex recently engaged with teenagers, sharing her personal journey and challenges with cyberbullying.
On October 2, Meghan, aged 43, visited Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara. This organization is well-recognized for empowering young girls to attain their fullest potential. Her visit was aligned with the launch of a digital wellness initiative, “Social Media U,” supported by Meghan and Prince Harry’s Archwell Foundation. The program aspires to guide young individuals in navigating the digital age responsibly and healthily.
Larissa May, a co-founder of the advocacy group #HalfTheStory, which collaborates with Girls Inc., recounted Meghan’s insights during this meet-up. She explained that the Duchess addressed the harsh realities of online negativity. “We conducted an exercise discussing varied scenarios, and Meghan openly talked about being perceived as one of the most targeted individuals globally,” May shared. “The young participants waved emoji signs, delving into how these scenarios might impact them emotionally.”
Understanding the youth’s perspective was paramount for the initiative. The teens were encouraged to voice their insights on how best to address digital age challenges. “With Stephanie, the CEO of Girls Inc., alongside Meghan, we sought to grasp the essence of growing up in today’s digital era,” May added, emphasizing the focus on fostering an environment where vulnerability could be expressed safely.
Meghan’s involvement with Girls Inc. follows the launch of The Parents Network by her and Prince Harry. This initiative is dedicated to supporting parents whose children have been harmed or affected by online dangers. Furthermore, their foundation partners with organizations like the World Health Organization to combat violence against minors—an issue they highlighted during a visit to Colombia.
In a previous interview on CBS Mornings, Meghan and Harry elaborated on their mission to spotlight online bullying. As parents to young Archie and Lilibet, Meghan expressed deep concerns about the digital world’s perils. “Our children are quite young, just three and five, and they are incredible. As parents, your primary instinct is to shield them,” Meghan explained. “Witnessing the ongoing online hazards, there is a significant amount of work ahead, and we are ready to be part of the positive change.”
During her keynote address at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival on International Women’s Day, Meghan spoke candidly about the damaging implications of social media and the bullying she has endured. “Even if it generates money, it lacks rationale,” she remarked, criticizing the toxic culture prevalent on social platforms. “I prefer to keep a distance from it.”
Meghan further found herself bewildered by the “catty and cruel” online behavior towards her during her pregnancies. She expressed her perplexity: “We have developed unhealthy habits—particularly disturbing is the realization that much of the hostility is women-directed at other women. It’s nonsensical.”
She urged introspection amongst women who partake in spreading negativity by questioning motivations: “Why circulate distressing tales about another woman? Sharing such content with friends diminishes our sense of humanity. We’ve lost sight of our empathy and compassion.”
The conversation Meghan Markle had with the teens highlights a crucial dialogue on digital civility, urging us all to rethink our online behavior. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Meghan’s advocacy pushes for a kinder, more empathetic online environment.
