In the statement, the couple praised Australia’s decision, calling it a decisive step at a critical moment in young people’s development. They said the ban sends a strong message that children’s minds should not be treated as commodities by technology companies, and noted that it gives young people valuable time back in their childhoods.
However, the statement also stressed that while the ban may prevent immediate harm, it does not address what they see as the root cause of the problem. According to Archewell, the underlying issue lies in the design and business models of social media platforms themselves.
A warning that the ban is only a temporary fix
Harry and Meghan argued that age restrictions alone cannot solve the problem of online harm. They described the legislation as an effective short term measure, but said it ultimately functions as a temporary solution rather than a permanent one. In their view, young people will inevitably grow up with social media, whether now or later, and are increasingly calling for platforms that are safe by default rather than reactive to tragedy.