Duchess of Sussex Details Decade of Online Abuse at Australian University Forum
The Duchess of Sussex has revealed she was "bullied and attacked" daily for ten years on social media platforms, describing herself as "the most trolled person in the entire world" during a candid discussion with young Australians in Melbourne.
Emotional Exchange at Swinburne University
Meghan made these deeply personal disclosures during a group conversation with youth participants from Australian mental health organisation Batyr at Swinburne University of Technology on Thursday. The event formed part of her Australian visit, with the Duchess speaking in a classroom setting about her experiences with relentless online harassment.
"For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked," Meghan told the assembled young people. "And I was the most trolled person in the entire world."
The Duchess went on to criticise social media companies directly, stating they are "not incentivised to stop" harmful content. She connected her personal ordeal to broader systemic issues, noting "that billion-dollar industry, that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks – that's not going to change."
Harry Praises Australia's Social Media Ban for Under-16s
The Duke of Sussex participated actively in the discussion, praising Australia's recent ban on social media use for children under sixteen as "epic" from a leadership perspective. Dressed casually in a blue shirt and jeans, Harry acknowledged Australia as the first nation to implement such restrictions.
"Your government was the first country in the world to bring about a ban," the Duke stated. "Now we can sit here and debate the pros and cons of a ban – I'm not here to judge that. All I will say is from a responsibility and leadership standpoint – epic."
However, Harry expressed regret that the situation had deteriorated to the point where bans became necessary, emphasising that "it should have never got to a ban" and calling for greater corporate accountability from technology platforms.
Personal Reflections on Therapy and Mental Health
Both royals shared personal insights about mental health support during the exchange. Harry revealed his own delayed engagement with therapy, telling participants: "I waited until I was literally in the fetal position, much older, lying on the kitchen floor. Until I was like, ok maybe this therapy thing – maybe I should try it."
The Duke also discussed how environment affects wellbeing, confessing "I'm not a city person, my mental health could not stand living in a city – no way" when addressing regional differences in mental health support.
Context of the Batyr Organisation Workshop
The discussion occurred during a two-day Batyr workshop in Melbourne specifically designed to address challenges faced by rural and remote youth who feel "left behind by a crisis-driven mental health system." Founded in 2011 by Sebastian Robertson, Batyr employs peer-to-peer programmes and lived experience storytelling to normalise mental health conversations in educational and workplace settings.
The organisation's unusual name derives from an elephant in a Kazakhstan zoo reportedly capable of using over twenty human phrases, symbolising their mission to give voice to youth mental health concerns across Australia.
Meghan concluded her remarks with an empowering message to the young attendees: "Now, I'm still here. And when I think of all of you and what you're experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realise... you have to be stronger than that."
