Meghan Markle news: Duchess of Sussex speech at The Lost Screen Memorial online bullying

Meghan Markle gave a powerful speech in Geneva, Switzerland, speaking to families personally affected by online bullying.

The Duchess of Sussex spoke at the inauguration of The Lost Screen Memorial, with a powerful message about the impact of children losing their lives due to online violence.

‘Behind me is The Lost Screen Memorial’, the mother of two startedreferring to the 50 illuminated boxes behind her.

Watch the video above.

Each of the 50 boxes shows an image on the phone lock screen of a child who died as a result online bullying.

“No statistics. No avatars. No data points. Children. Each name belonged to a child who was loved beyond measure. A child whose laughter once filled a kitchen. Whose shoes once waited at a front door. Whose future once seemed limitless,” she continued.

“Now their faces ask the world questions we can no longer avoid: How many more millions of children will be harmed by products that, while innovative, are still designed without adequate safeguards? When will children be able to enjoy the extraordinary potential of technology without endangering their well-being?”

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The Duchess, who was dressed for the occasion in a black pantsuit and completed her look with her hair in a sleek bun, spoke at the installation organized by the World Health Organization and Archewell Philanthropies.

Meghan continued to speak, delving deeper into the role of addictive online behavior in children’s declining mental health.

“Because children today are shaped by systems designed to grab attention at all costs: ruthless algorithms, exploitative engagement, and endless exposure to harmful content they didn’t want,” she says.

The Duchess shared stories of young people who had committed suicide or been directly harmed by the messages spread on social media.

“But these outcomes are not inevitable. And prevention starts with one simple principle: children should be safe by design, not by chance,” she continued.

Meghan then addressed her speech to a parent in the crowd, Amy Neville.

“Amy lost her 14-year-old son, Alexander – a child who was targeted through a platform designed for engagement, not protection,” she said.

“Today she is here not only as a mother, but also as an advocate and activist who ensures that no other family has to experience the same loss.

“Will we look back on this moment as a moment when, through collective action, the design of technology shifted – towards safety, dignity and well-being? Or will we accept more names being added to these types of memorials?

“Because if an adult is barely able to survive the bullying and plundering of the online world and the dangers that these platforms bring, how does a child fare?”

Meghan called on parents to set a good example with their use of social media.

She urged parents to write to elected representatives and officials to introduce laws to protect children from the world of online harm.

“Let our children look back on this moment and be proud of us – that we chose something better – for them and for all of us,” she concluded.

Meghan was joined at the event by World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, global health leaders, ministers and other families affected by online harm.

She also spent time with families and shared hugs with those directly affected.

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