Meghan Markle surprised a group of children and teens last week when she joined them for an afternoon of games and crafts.
The Duchess of Sussex, 43, visited Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara on Oct. 2 to help with a new digital wellness program called Social Media U.
Girls Inc., an American nonprofit that encourages girls to be “strong, smart and bold,” is partnering with #HalfTheStory, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the next generation’s relationship with technology, to launch the program throughout the States.
Larissa May, founder of #HalfTheStory, participated in the event alongside Duchess and Girls Inc. CEO Stephanie J. Hull as they celebrated the collaboration.
“We did an activity where we talked about various scenarios and Meghan talked about being one of the most bullied people in the world,” May said. vanity fair.
Meghan Markle (pictured Oct. 5) surprised a group of children and teens last week when she joined them for an afternoon of games and crafts.
“We had the girls wave these little emoji signs and talk about how each of these scenarios would have impacted them emotionally.”
May added: “With Stephanie and Meghan, we talked about what it really means to grow up in this digital age.”
The Social Media U curriculum, which the duchess helped pilot during her visit earlier this month, was designed with input from teenagers on the #HalfTheStory advisory board.
Its goal is to encourage teenagers to socialize without screens, but also to help them use technology for creativity and positive contact.
The effort is financially supported by Meghan and Prince Harry’s Archewell Foundation, the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation and Melissa French Gates’ Pivotal Ventures, the publication reported.
In March 2024, Meghan opened up about the ‘hateful’ cyberbullying she received while pregnant with Archie and Lilibet during the SXSW festival.
The Duchess of Sussex was in Texas to discuss “breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes” at a festival event alongside Brooke Shields and Katie Couric.
Meghan opened up about her use of social media and claimed that most of the online hate she experienced occurred while she was pregnant with her two young children.
The Duchess of Sussex (pictured with the Duke in August 2024), 43, visited Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara on Oct. 2 to help with a new digital wellness program called Social Media U.
“I’m staying away from this right now for my well-being, but most of the harassment and abuse I was experiencing on social media and online was when I was pregnant with Archie and Lili, and a newborn, each of them.” she said.
‘Just think about it and understand why people would be so hateful. It’s not malicious, it’s cruel. Why would you do that when you are pregnant or as a mother? It is such a tender and sacred moment.
He added: “You could succumb to it, or almost succumb to how painful it is.” Or maybe because you were pregnant, that mammalian instinct just kicked in to do everything you could to protect your child and, as a result, protect yourself too.’
Meghan’s departure to support the digital wellbeing partnership last week comes after the Duke and Duchess launched an initiative aimed at tackling child safety online, called The Parents’ Network.
As part of the campaign, a group of parents have come together to help provide a “safe and supportive community (that) is available to all parents and caregivers navigating the complex digital world.”
This group includes those who “have firsthand knowledge of the pain and destruction caused by social media use.”
A description of the network on the Sussexes’ Archewell Foundation website says: “EEach of us has been through something no parent should experience, and our mission is to prevent anyone else from suffering like we did.
‘For anyone who has a child affected by the harms of social media, we are here to support you. Our safe and supportive community is available to all parents and caregivers navigating the complex digital world.’
In March 2024, Meghan opened up about the ‘hateful’ cyberbullying she received while pregnant with Archie and Lilibet during the SXSW festival.
In addition to those who have lost children, The Parents’ Network aims to support those whose children are struggling with “ongoing issues of cyberbullying, depression and anxiety, sexual exploitation, eating disorders, and a variety of other social media-related traumas.” “. wear’.
According to the network: ‘Some are looking for ways to channel pain into a purpose. Some are simply trying to survive, while making sure our children do the same.
“We all seek safe, supportive environments where we can talk openly about experiences that are often kept under lock and key, and forge meaningful relationships with others who understand.”
Additionally, a list of three guides has been posted on the site, each addressing a social media platform, including Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.
The site describes the guides as “repurposed in partnership with The Social Media Victims Law Center.”
Compiled using information from the Center’s online social media guides, they include information about what each platform is used for and how caregivers can “improve their children’s safety” while using them.
Parallel to the launch of the campaign, the couple gave their first formal interview together in three years, appearing on the Sunday Morning program of the American radio station CBS News.
During the sit-down with host Jane Pauley, the couple said they want to “be part of the change forever” when it comes to the “online space.”
Meghan meets a young woman invited to the gala
“Our kids are little, they’re three and five,” said Meghan, who wore a £12,800 Cartier necklace and £1,485 Ralph Lauren ensemble for the appearance.
‘They are incredible. But all you want to do as parents is protect them. And so as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know there’s a lot of work to be done there and we’re happy to be able to be part of the change forever.”
Harry added: “At this point we’ve reached the stage where almost every parent needs to be the first to respond.”
“And even the best first responders in the world would not be able to detect signs of a possible suicide.” That’s the scary part of this.
Meghan also talked about having suicidal thoughts. The duchess first said she had experienced suicidal thoughts during her time as a royal while the couple were being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey three years ago.
During the interview published earlier this year, he said he hopes his candor will help others and encourage people to check in on their friends.
“There’s a through line when you’ve been through any level of pain or trauma,” Meghan said. ‘Part of your healing journey, and certainly part of mine, is being open about it.
Actually, my experience has not reached the surface. I would never want anyone else to feel this way. I would never want someone else to make these plans. I would never want anyone to be disbelieved.’
She added: “So if expressing what I’ve overcome is going to save someone or encourage someone in their life to really get a handle on it, don’t assume that looks are good, don’t assume that everything is fine, then I’ll take it.” .’
Meghan (pictured) enjoying chatting with her friend Kelly McKee in downtown Los Angeles. One expert said she looked “lost; without Harry
Prince Harry has been touring the world supporting causes close to his heart over the past fortnight, including South Africa (pictured on Friday).
Meghan’s outing last week marks her second without her husband in as many weeks after she made a surprising Solo visit to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles gala.
The trip was thought to be part of a new plan that would allow them to hold more separate events, a friend said recently.
The Sussexes will continue to have joint commitments, but they will also be seen alone in public, more often, as they pursue their own passions.
Prince Harry was away from home for a fortnight on a pseudo-royal tour to New York, London and South Africa, and Meghan was at a glitzy gala at a children’s hospital in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
Insiders have said this reflects a new change of direction in the couple’s life. public lives.
‘The Duke and Duchess have reached their peak as individuals, not just as a couple. “The Duke seems focused on his patronage work and the Duchess focused on her business career,” said a friend of the Sussexes. The source told People: “It’s clear that a two-track approach is evolving.”
For confidential support in the UK, call Samaritans on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org for more details; In the US, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
