The Duke and Duchess of Sussex delivered an impactful message about online safety in the joint appearance

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry appeared virtually on the first day of the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Violence Against Children in Colombia
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex previously visited Colombia in August, shortly after their charitable Archewell Foundation launched The Parent’s Network to support families whose children have been impacted by traumas related to social media use
Meghan, 43, and Prince Harry, 40, wore poppy pins for the surprise appearance as the U.K. commemorates Remembrance events in November

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are speaking out in a surprise joint appearance.

Wearing poppy pins to mark the upcoming Remembrance Day in the U.K., which honors military members who have died, the couple spoke via video on Nov. 7 at the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Violence Against Children in Colombia, delivering a powerful message on the importance of online safety for children.

The appearance comes almost three months after they visited Colombia in August at the invitation of Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez.

In their message, the couple emphasized the urgency of addressing digital violence against children, noting that the first-ever ministerial conference on ending violence against children comes at a critical time. The Duke and Duchess stressed that we are at a pivotal moment where awareness must now transform into meaningful action.

“We are at a crossroads,” Harry said, “and the urgency to reassess and redefine our approach to protecting children has become increasingly evident. While the necessity has always been apparent, it’s now time to translate that awareness into meaningful action.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Violence Against Children in Colombia on 

Meghan added, “My husband and I recognize that today’s reality is marked by greater connectivity and advanced technology, which, of course, has many positives. However, it also compels us to better understand how digital violence against children is manifesting itself in this age.”

“At the Archewell Foundation, we engage with young people, families and experts worldwide, learning about how every aspect of a child’s life — from their livelihood to their physical and mental well-being — now operates within an online economy that has both the power to shape and misshape our connections,” she continued.

The couple also recognized the profound impact that technology and digital connectivity have on the lives of children today. While acknowledging the positive aspects of these advancements, they highlighted the pressing need to address the rise of digital violence in the online world.

Through their Archewell Foundation, the Duke and Duchess have engaged with young people, families and experts worldwide to better understand the full scope of digital violence and its effects on children’s lives.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Violence Against Children in Colombia on Nov. 7, 2024.

As part of their commitment to creating safer digital environments, Prince Harry and Meghan launched The Parents Network earlier this year. This initiative provides support for families dealing with the effects of online harm.

“We know that supporting parents is essential in reducing digital violence against children,” Harry said. “That’s why earlier this year, we launched The Parents Network, a support network for families dealing with online harm.”

The couple’s appearance at the conference reaffirmed their united commitment to addressing some of the most pressing issues facing families today. With a focus on both digital safety and the well-being of children, their message was a timely reminder that awareness must lead to tangible steps toward change in order to protect the most vulnerable in an increasingly connected world.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Cali, Colombia on Aug. 18, 2024.Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty

During his visit to N.Y.C. in September, Harry spoke about the importance of no more children being lost to social media and how it has become a crisis that cannot be ignored. He mentioned the work of his and Meghan’s new initiative, The Parents Network, created to help families with children impacted by traumas related to social media.

The couple spoke about the new venture on CBS Sunday Morning on Aug. 4, Meghan’s birthday, telling Jane Pauley they wanted to protect their children from harmful online content.

On stage at CGI on Sept. 24, Harry said it was because of children lost to social media and the parents left behind to grieve as to why “we at the Archewell Foundation are committed to this issue,” he said.

Prince Harry said that he, like many, didn’t grow up with a phone, and that “Young people today possess an incredible understanding of technology that older generations may struggle to grasp.”

He added, “Our laws and regulations are different, state to state, country to country. We may have different backgrounds, viewpoints, beliefs and even access to the internet itself, but the one thing that we can universally agree on is the safety of our children.”

During the couple’s CBS Sunday Morning appearance, Meghan shared more about their concern for online safety and referenced their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

“Our kids are young — they’re 3 and 5. They’re amazing. But all you want to do as parents is protect them,” she said. “So as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there, and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good.”

Prince Harry added, “At this point, we’ve got to the stage where almost every parent needs to be a first responder. And even the best first responders in the world wouldn’t be able to tell the signs of possible suicide. That is the terrifying piece of this.”

Meghan encouraged everyone to “look at it through the lens of ‘What if it was my daughter? What if it was my son?’ “

She added, “If you look at it through the lens as a parent, there’s no way to see that any other way than to try to find a solution.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared on the first day of the Global Ministerial Conference on Violence Against Children, which wraps on Nov. 8, after making a related outing when they visited Colombia in August.

Prince Harry and Meghan at the Responsible Digital Future forum in Bogota, Colombia on Aug. 15, 2024.Juancho Torres/Anadolu via Getty

Vice President Márquez’s announcement about their visit shouted out the Archewell Foundation’s focus in promoting safer digital environments, and she joined Harry and Meghan for a panel discussion titled “The Path Towards a Responsible Digital Future” during a Responsible Digital Future summit at a university in Bogotá on their first day there.

“With the Archewell Foundation, me and my wife believe that information integrity is a fundamental right,” Prince Harry said in part.

Added Meghan, “We should model how we want our kids to be raised and for the world in which we raise them. It doesn’t matter where you live. It doesn’t matter who you are. Either you personally or someone you know is a victim to what’s happening online. And that’s something we can actively work on every day to remedy.”