Prince Harry Supports Youth Fighting for Safer Social Media and AI Use
Young people searching for support, advocacy, and real change in AI and social media regulation are increasingly turning to high-profile allies. One of the most vocal is Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, who recently funded and met with youth leaders working to promote online safety and ethical technology use. As AI grows more accessible and social media more influential, the risks to mental health, digital privacy, and youth well-being are escalating. By investing in youth-led initiatives, Prince Harry is helping amplify the voices of young innovators determined to reshape the future of digital responsibility.
Youth-Led Movements for Tech Accountability Get Royal Backing
At a sun-filled conference room in Brooklyn, Prince Harry sat with young leaders who are not just talking about change—they're making it happen. The event was organized by the Responsible Tech Youth Power Fund (RTYPF), a grant program supporting youth organizations that are building safer tech futures. Harry’s foundation, Archewell, co-founded with Meghan Markle, joined forces with major backers like Pinterest and Melinda French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures to support the fund’s latest cohort.
These youth advocates, most in their early 20s, are deeply concerned about how fast technology is advancing—and how slowly laws and regulations are catching up. From generative AI to algorithmic bias, they are raising red flags and demanding a seat at the policy-making table.
AI and Social Media Risks Dominate the Conversation
Despite optimism about AI's potential, many attendees focused on the urgent dangers that social media and AI pose, especially for young people. Lydia Burns of Seek Common Ground noted that youth aren’t anti-tech. Rather, they want meaningful input into how digital systems are designed, governed, and enforced.
Adam Billen, co-leader of the nonprofit Encode, emphasized how easily minors today can access tools to generate AI deepfake pornography. He has worked on the Take It Down Act and supports California's SB 53, which aims to provide whistleblower protections related to AI abuse. His work highlights how AI-generated explicit content is proliferating online with minimal oversight—especially on popular social media platforms targeting teens.
Influencers, Misinformation, and the Pharmaceutical Ad Crisis
Social media is not just pushing tech boundaries—it’s also blurring lines in healthcare marketing. Sneha Dave, founder of Generation Patient, raised concerns about influencers promoting prescription medications online without proper FDA oversight. Teen users are being flooded with pharmaceutical ads, often without understanding the risks or medical context.
Dave and others argue that platforms must be held accountable for vetting sponsored content, especially when it affects vulnerable populations.
Mental Health Fallout from Unregulated Digital Spaces
The mental health impact of social media remains a key concern. Filmmaker Yoelle Gulko is currently working on a documentary to highlight the emotional toll of always being online. She notes a rising trend of students deleting social media accounts out of sheer burnout and anxiety.
Her call to action is simple but urgent: provide tools and digital literacy for young people, so they can not only survive but thrive in the online world.
Why Prince Harry’s Support Matters Now More Than Ever
Prince Harry didn’t just show up—he listened, invested, and encouraged. His presence, alongside Archewell’s financial support, brings high-profile attention to underfunded but critical youth tech advocacy work. He highlighted how today’s tech giants are often more powerful than governments, yet lack accountability for the communities they affect.
“You have the skillset and the courage to stand up,” Harry told the room of young leaders. His remarks underscore a shifting narrative: change is not just coming from legislators or corporations—it’s rising from passionate, informed youth determined to protect their peers and future generations.
The Bottom Line: Youth Leadership Is Driving the Future of Responsible Tech
This isn’t just a headline about Prince Harry showing up to a youth event. It’s a powerful signal that global leaders are starting to acknowledge the voices of young people who understand both the promise and the perils of digital life.
As concerns around AI safety, data privacy, and mental health gain urgency, supporting youth-led innovation is not only smart—it’s essential. With growing support from philanthropy and public figures, this new generation of tech activists is helping redefine what ethical digital progress really looks like.
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