Prince Harry and Meghan Markle call for stronger social media protections after The Lost Screen Memorial event

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are calling for better protections for children on social media.

Prince Harry and Meghan have unveiled a memorial in New York City which honours the memory of children whose families believe harmful material on social media contributed to their deaths.

After speaking with the grief-stricken families at the event, Prince Harry reflected that “clearly enough is not being done” to protect children online, per the BBC.

READ MORE: ‘I will not stand for that’: Gwyneth Paltrow whacks Meghan rumours

“We want to make sure that things are changed so that… no more kids are lost to social media. It’s unacceptable, it’s wrong,” he later added.

Meghan echoed this sentiment telling the publication, “No matter how polarised the world is or what people may or may not agree on, one thing that we can all agree on is that our children should be safe.”

Prince Harry later reflected on his thoughts about social media and its potential harm sharing that the stories of some of the families present at the memorial event are “truly harrowing”.

“Life is better off of social media. I say that as a parent, and I say that as someone who has spoken to many of the kids here tonight who aren’t on social media because they’ve lost a brother or a sister to social media,” he said.

READ MORE: Why Prince Harry ‘really misses being a prince

He later reflected that he and Meghan are “grateful” that their two children – Archie and Lilibet – are “too young to be on social media at this point”.

But when they grow up and social media is on their radar, Prince Harry hopes things have changed for the better.

Meanwhile, Meghan shared that she believes social media has the potential to be a good place but it’s up to us to make that happen.

“It is a universal truth that our children are in harm’s way by what’s happening online,” she said.

“And I think for those who do choose to be online and to be on social as as adults as well that we get to set the example and really put as much good and joy into the world as we can.

“It’s like that old quote, ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can go that’, and I think in many ways what we see through these parents is the hope and the promise of something better.”

‘READ MORE: ‘One day’: The dream Irwin has turned into a reality

The memorial unveiled by Prince Harry and Meghan is named the Lost Screen Memorial.

It is made up of 50 phone-shaped light-boxes, each displaying a photo of a child who has died “as a result of the harm they suffered on social media”.

The parents of those children are a part of the Parents’ Network, a support network for parents whose children have experienced social media harm.

The network was set up by Prince Harry and Meghan’s Archewell Foundation through which the royal pair have been supporting families affected by social media harm.

READ MORE: ‘Best thing I’ve ever done’: Notoriously private star’s rare family admission

Inside the private life Harry and Meghan gave up royalty for

Members of the network were present at the memorial event and shared their stories with Prince Harry and Meghan and others at the event.

”All of our children should be safe and I think tonight all of these stories solidify that,” Meghan told the BBC.

If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue or in the event of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.