Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are winning hearts through their work! They recently spotlighted an issue that hits close to home for many families. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex just inaugurated a sentimental installation in New York City called the “Lost Screen Memorial.” And honestly, it’s impossible not to feel all the emotions. Check it out below.
Prince Harry: The Sussexes Launch the “Lost Screen Memorial”
On March 23, Prince Harry and his wife introduced the private installation through their Archewell Foundation. It was under the organisation’s No Child Lost to Social Media campaign. The memorial honours young lives lost due to the harmful effects of social media, and the centerpiece lived upto its reputation.
It comprised fifty giant smartphone lock screens, each displaying a picture of the deceased kid. Additionally, the most moving part was the presence of the children’s parents. They bravely shared stories and memories of their kids to raise awareness about the “urgent need for safer online spaces.”
The Sussexes also shared a press release with Us Weekly and a video on social media. The memorial was open for only 24 hours, but the virtual version will forever tell the tales of these beautiful lives. The statement states, “The Sussexes stand in solidarity with nearly 50 families whose children were commemorated in the installation.”
Furthermore, some parents even recorded personal voice notes so that visitors can realise how deep their pain runs. The Duke also didn’t hold back when it came to calling out social media platforms. Harry said, “These children were not sick. They were exposed to, and in many cases were pushed harmful content online.”
Harry Drops An Emotional Statement
The Prince declared that no kid should be “exploited, groomed, or preyed upon” on the internet. According to him, these digital spaces may see children as their user base, but they are “irreplaceable” for their parents. “While social media companies claim to be taking action, most still withhold critical data from grieving parents,” he added.
He thinks that could provide accountability amid the growing crisis. Meanwhile, the Archewell Foundation launched the Parents’ Network in August 2024 to support caregivers across the U.K., U.S., and Canada. The Duchess has been brutally honest about her own painful experiences with online bullying.
In 2020, she revealed on “Teenage Therapy” podcast that she was the “most trolled person in the world.” For Markle, that phase was “almost unsurvivable.” Archewell’s executive directors, James Holt and Shauna Nep, described the memorial as “a collective act of remembrance and a call to action.”
They summed it up perfectly: “Online spaces should be safe by design, not an afterthought.” Tune in to Soap Opera Daily for more Prince Harry updates. What are your thoughts on the touching memorial?
