This verdict is a reckoning - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle react to landmark verdict against YouTube and Meta
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reacted to a major court ruling in the United States, describing it as a moment of accountability for technology companies.
A jury in Los Angeles found Meta Platforms and YouTube liable for negligence in a case centred on social media addiction and its impact on a young user.
In a statement, the couple said the decision reflects growing concern about how digital platforms affect children.
“This verdict is a reckoning,” they said. “For too long, families have paid the price for platforms built with total disregard for the children they reach.”
The case was brought by a young woman who argued that the platforms were intentionally designed to be addictive, affecting her well-being while growing up. The jury agreed, concluding that the companies’ actions contributed to the harm.
Damages were awarded at 3 million dollars, with Meta assigned the larger share. Additional punitive damages are expected to be determined later.
Reacting to the outcome, Harry and Meghan said the ruling goes beyond a single case.
“Today’s verdict in Los Angeles and yesterday’s ruling in New Mexico are landmark victories for families,” they said. “Justice has caught up to Big Tech.”
They also pushed back against narratives that place blame solely on parents.
“The harm isn’t in parenting, it’s in product design,” they stated. “These systems were built to exploit, not protect.”
Both companies have rejected the verdict. A spokesperson for Meta said, “We respectfully disagree with the verdict and are evaluating our legal options,” adding that teen mental health cannot be linked to one platform.
A representative for Google, which owns YouTube, also said the case misunderstands the nature of the service.
For the Sussexes, the issue is personal and ongoing. Through Archewell Foundation, they have consistently focused on online safety and the mental health of young people.
That work includes the Parents’ Network, an initiative supporting families who say their children have been harmed by digital platforms.
Speaking to some of those families earlier this year, Harry said, “Thank you for telling your stories over and over again.
Truth, justice and accountability, those are the three things that will come from this.”
Their advocacy has also taken a public form. During a visit to New York, the couple unveiled a memorial installation featuring mobile phones displaying images of children whose lives were cut short, a project aimed at drawing attention to the real-life consequences of online harm.
Their latest response continues that message, firm, direct, and focused on responsibility.
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