Prince Harry became emotional while speaking with parents who say social media platforms contributed to the deaths of their children, during an unannounced appearance in Los Angeles.
On Feb. 11, the Duke of Sussex, 41, met with grieving families who have filed a legal challenge involving Instagram and YouTube, according to the BBC, as a major trial begins examining whether the platforms have harmed young people’s mental health.
Reports said Meghan Markle, 44, accompanied him, though she was not photographed.
In video shared by BBC Breakfast on Feb. 12, Harry appeared to fight back tears as he told the families, “None of you should be here,” and referenced his own emotionally difficult experiences in courtrooms. In January, he testified in London in a lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail, alleging unlawful information gathering—one of several legal battles he has pursued against British tabloids in recent years.
Speaking on Wednesday night in Los Angeles, Harry described the case as a “David versus Goliath” fight and said it can be overwhelming to hear arguments that, in his view, devalue the lives of children.
“Do not feel ashamed,” he told the parents, adding that showing emotion is normal even in a courtroom. His voice cracked as he apologized and repeated, “None of you should be here.”
He thanked the families for repeatedly sharing their experiences and said he hoped the proceedings would bring “truth, justice and accountability.”
Opening statements began this week in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Instagram and YouTube are responding to claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children, according to the Associated Press. TikTok and Snap were initially named in the lawsuit but later settled for undisclosed amounts.
The Los Angeles Times reported the case could influence thousands of other lawsuits and reshape legal expectations for major technology companies. Instagram head Adam Mosseri testified on Feb. 11, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify next week.
Harry and Meghan have made online safety a central focus of their philanthropic work and highlighted the significance of the trial in a statement published on their website. The statement described the week as a pivotal moment for families seeking accountability and said affected parents have waited too long to be heard.
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It also referenced concerns raised by families and whistleblowers who argue that social platforms prioritize engagement over safety. The statement noted that governments in several countries are also moving toward stronger protections for young users.
Meghan has previously spoken about the impact of online criticism on her mental health. She and Harry launched The Parents Network in 2022, bringing together families in the U.S. who say their children died by suicide linked to social media or have suffered serious harm connected to online platforms.
The initiative later expanded to the U.S. and Canada, and in January the couple announced the project was transferred to the nonprofit ParentsTogether. The move came amid operational changes at their charity, Archewell, now operating as Archewell Philanthropies. The couple are expected to remain involved in some capacity, though their formal roles have not been finalized.
