Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex and spouse of Prince Harry, recently contributed to the kick-off event of Social Media U, a digital wellness initiative designed to equip young girls to flourish in the digital age. The event took place at Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, California, and forms part of a joint endeavor supported by the Archewell Foundation, the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, and Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures.
Markle, alongside Larissa May, founder of the nonprofit #HalfTheStory, and Stephanie J. Hull, CEO of Girls Inc., spent an afternoon on October 2 devoid of screens, engaging in games, making friendship bracelets, and hosting open dialogues about the influence of social media. This program aims to inspire teens to have a positive interaction with technology while nurturing personal relationships in real life.
“Our goal was to establish a space where vulnerability is accepted, and the voices of the teens are recognized,” said May. “Together with Meghan and Stephanie, we explored what it truly entails to mature in this digital epoch.”
In an activity centered on emotional reactions to various social media contexts, Markle reflected on her personal encounters with online negativity. According to May, Markle acknowledged being “one of the most bullied people in the world.”
However, sources close to Markle clarified that she did not present herself as “one of the world’s most bullied individuals,” but instead spoke broadly about the challenges posed by online harassment.
In previous interviews, Markle has opened up about the impact of cyberbullying on her mental health, underscoring the necessity of a safer online environment for future generations. “Nearly every parent must act as a first responder,” she mentioned once, emphasizing the role of families in mitigating online abuse.
Social Media U intends to provide young girls with the resources and understanding required to navigate the intricacies of the digital world. Hull said, “Girls Inc. has always adapted to engage girls where they are. Today, we’re zeroing in on the digital world as a place where we need to ensure the safety and welfare of girls.”
May lauded the collaboration, emphasizing the importance of empowering youth in a society dominated by technology. “Technology isn’t going away. It’s more akin to food than a drug because it is a social determinant of public health, economic empowerment, and academic empowerment,” she clarified.
The initiative will benefit approximately 114,000 girls each year through the network of 75 Girls Inc. organizations strewn across the United States and Canada. The program targets issues such as body image, online safety, and mental health support, aiming to empower girls to flourish both online and offline.
Markle’s participation mirrors her continued dedication to mental health advocacy and digital well-being. Through the Archewell Foundation, she and Prince Harry have backed various initiatives promoting responsible technology use among the youth. Earlier in the year, the couple traveled to Colombia to partake in a conference aimed at shaping a better digital future.
Prince Harry has also been proactive in charitable efforts, attending the WellChild Awards in the United Kingdom and paying a visit to Lesotho to support Sentebale, a charity he co-established to aid children impacted by HIV and AIDS.
Markle’s visit to Girls Inc. underlines her commitment to instigate positive change for the younger generation. By sharing her personal experiences and supporting initiatives like Social Media U, she continues to champion a more compassionate and supportive online environment.
