The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have publicly expressed their pride in supporting crucial work examining the severe impacts of social media on children. In a new video discussion, the couple highlighted the urgent need to address the mental and emotional harms linked to excessive screen time for young people.
A Conversation on Digital Childhoods
Appearing in a feature for Oprah Daily, Prince Harry and Meghan spoke with authors and researchers Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price. The authors recently published The Amazing Generation: Your Guide To Fun And Freedom In A Screen-Filled World. The dialogue centred on their findings regarding what they term the "phone-based childhood" and its consequences.
"Over the years, we’ve worked with you on how the digital space is deeply affecting our collective and mental, emotional and physical health," stated Prince Harry. He extended congratulations on the research, which has sparked a significant parent-led movement that he described as "astonishing and much needed."
"And that we’re proud to be a part of," Meghan added, with Harry emphatically agreeing, "Yeah, hugely."
The Real-World Impact and Expert Insights
The Duke emphasised the practical value of this research for his and Meghan's charitable endeavours. "The insights have been incredibly valuable over the years for our work with parents who have lost their children to online harms and working towards solutions to keep all children safe," he explained.
Posing a key question to the experts, Harry asked how a phone-based childhood affects emotional development and what families can do to foster healthier habits. Jonathan Haidt responded plainly, stating that devices displace essential childhood activities. "Kids need to play, all mammals play, and once they get the device it’s going to push out everything else," he said.
He listed the subsequent losses: less sleep, less reading, reduced time with peers, diminished sunshine, and less exercise. Haidt concluded that screen activities, engineered for addiction, systematically push out the fundamentals required for healthy development.
Catherine Price reinforced the point, stressing the primacy of human connection. "We need to help our kids develop human skills and human relationships... relationships are at the top of that," she stated, referencing research on human flourishing.
A Long-Standing Advocacy
This intervention is not an isolated one for Prince Harry. He has campaigned for years to raise awareness about social media harms. In a podcast interview as recently as October, he criticised the "lawlessness" he perceives within the tech industry.
The couple's Archewell Foundation has also taken concrete action through its Parents’ Network. Launched several years ago, this initiative provides support for families whose children have suffered negative impacts from social media platforms.
The discussion, recorded on Thursday 08 January 2026, underscores the Sussexes' continued commitment to a cause they see as critical for the wellbeing of future generations.
