The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have quietly stepped back from a major initiative they launched to combat online harm against children. The Parents' Network, which began in August 2024 under their Archewell Foundation, has now been fully transferred to the established non-profit organisation, ParentsTogether.
Strategic Partnership Announced in New York
Prince Harry, 41, and Meghan Markle, 44, first announced a strategic partnership for the project in October 2024 at a New York event marking World Mental Health Day. The Duke stated that expanding the parents' movement was key to creating real change. However, this partnership has evolved into a full handover. Archewell Philanthropies, as the foundation is now known, has provided ParentsTogether with the operational capacity for the initiative and a cash grant to fund its first year of core operations.
An Archewell source explained the move follows their established model of incubating projects before transitioning them to independent organisations, citing examples like the Invictus Games and Travalyst. The source stated that ParentsTogether's years of trusted relationships with families made it the ideal permanent home for The Parents' Network.
Focus on Bereaved Families and Online Dangers
The network was created specifically to support parents who have lost children to suicide linked to online harm. It also aims to help families dealing with issues like cyberbullying, depression, anxiety, and sexual exploitation stemming from social media use. The couple have been vocal advocates, giving a rare TV interview to CBS in 2024 where Meghan emphasised the desire to protect children and be "a part of change for good" online.
Prince Harry has previously described the terrifying reality for modern parents, stating they must act as "first responders" against threats they are ill-equipped to identify. He told the BBC last year that the goal was to ensure no more children are "lost to social media," while acknowledging the complex social pressures that make keeping children offline difficult.
A Shift in Royal Philanthropy Approach
This transfer marks a significant shift in the Sussexes' direct involvement with the project. While they launched it with personal appearances and emotional embraces with bereaved parents, the long-term support and amplification of these families will now be managed by ParentsTogether. The couple, parents to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have stated their own gratitude that their children are still too young for social media. This move allows the vital initiative to continue under expert stewardship while Archewell potentially focuses on incubating new projects.
