Prince Harry: 'Smartphones are stealing young people's childhood'

On World Mental Health Day, Prince Harry joined social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, to discuss the effects of smartphones and social media on young people. Their conversation focused on how technology is affecting the mental health of children and teens.

During the discussion, Prince Harry said, "In many cases, the smartphone is stealing young people’s childhood." Haidt agreed and pointed out on the fact that people born after 1995 have experienced higher levels of anxiety, depression, self-harm and even suicide due to smartphones.

Prince Harry then mentioned that social media companies often blame parents for the mental health crisis among youth, calling it a result of poor parenting. Haidt, however, disagreed with this view. He explained that once children get a phone and social media access, family life often turns into a struggle over screen time. “The tech companies put us in a bind, and then they’re trying to blame us for what they did,” Haidt added.

As a father of two young children, Harry shared that many parents feel pressure to give their kids a phone, especially for emergencies. To which, Haidt suggested a solution. “Give them a phone. Just don’t give them a supercomputer connected to everyone in the world,” Haidt said.

They also discussed the misconception that social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat provide an important lifeline for kids. Haidt called this idea a “myth” and emphasised that the key to helping kids feel connected is face-to-face interactions. “The research is clear,” he said. “When kids have a best friend or a small group of friends, they generally do well. But when they only have hundreds of online connections, they don’t have time for anyone.”

Haidt also stated that 2024 is a crucial year for recognising the harmful effects technology has had on children. “I don’t want to blame any parent because we didn’t know this 10 years ago,” he said.

Last month, Prince Harry also spoke at a Clinton Foundation event about the dangers of social media and how children are impacted by the online world.