Prince Harry praised Australia’s social media ban for children as Meghan Markle detailed a decade of online bullying during their visit to Melbourne.
MELBOURNE: Prince Harry praised Australia’s “epic” leadership on banning social media for children under 16. He made the remarks during a discussion with young people organised by mental health organisation Batyr.
His wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, told the same event she has endured relentless online bullying. “For now, 10 years, every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked,” she said.
Australia became the first country to enact such a ban in December. The legislation blocks access to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for teens.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are on a privately funded four-day trip to Australia. Their engagements cover sport, mental health, and veterans’ affairs.
Their visit has received a mixed reception, with some controversy over policing costs. A protest petition over taxpayer expenses garnered over 45,000 signatures.
In contrast to their 2018 tour as working royals, this trip includes commercial activities. Meghan filmed an episode as a guest judge on ‘MasterChef Australia’.
She is also co-hosting a luxury wellness retreat in Sydney this weekend. Tickets for the event start from A$2,699 per person.
The couple stepped down from royal duties and moved to the US in 2020. They cited a desire for financial independence and to escape media intrusion.
