Prince Harry has once again raised concerns about the risks that come with sharing children’s photos online, revealing why he and Meghan Markle have chosen to keep their son Archie and daughter Lilibet out of the public digital eye.
In a candid conversation with American comedian and actor Hasan Minhaj, the Duke of Sussex explained that his family’s decision stems from the growing threat of unregulated artificial intelligence and the uncertainty surrounding how online images are being used and stored.
“Parents can do whatever they want,” Harry said. “But the reality is, from what I’ve learnt, what I’ve seen, what I’ve heard and experienced—especially through the parents’ network—you should be really worried, concerned, and cautious about putting photographs of your kids online, especially now. With this surge of unregulated AI, you just don’t know where it’s going to go. You don’t know how it’s going to be used.”
A Digital Age Without Boundaries
Harry’s warning isn’t new. Both he and Meghan have been outspoken advocates for online safety, particularly for young people. But his latest comments underscore a growing anxiety shared by many parents in an age where technology evolves faster than regulations can catch up.
He pointed out that even though many parents view social media as a harmless way to share memories, the unseen risks—from data scraping to AI manipulation—pose dangers that are still largely misunderstood.
The Duke further explained that young people should not have unrestricted access to social platforms too early, suggesting that 21 years old might be a more responsible age to start.
“I think, you know, once your brain is properly formed, you are starting to learn who you are. I think 21 is a sensible age. But the companies don’t—they won’t ever allow that. They will throw tens of millions of dollars to lobby against that,” he said.
“Evil and Wicked” Forces Behind the Screens
Prince Harry didn’t mince words when talking about what he sees as the darker side of Big Tech. He accused certain individuals within the tech industry of ignoring ethical red flags and prioritizing profit over safety.
“When you have AI experts coming forward raising the alarm bells and they’re being ignored, then we should be doubly concerned,” he warned.
He referenced a whistleblower from Meta, who revealed internal policies that allegedly permitted the company’s own chatbots to “flirt with children.”
“Meta had written a policy that basically allowed these chatbots to flirt with children,” Harry said, citing a Reuters report. “When they were exposed in the Reuters story, they turned around and said, ‘Oh, that was a mistake. We’ve now removed that wording.’ It’s like, how could that possibly be a mistake? It went all the way up to your legal team.”
The prince’s frustration was palpable as he urged the public to “snap out of” the social media bubble and face the realities of how these platforms operate.
“There are some really evil, wicked people at the heart of this who want to farm our children’s mindset and market it for themselves,” he said.
The Alarming Statistics
The numbers back up his concern. Studies show that over two-thirds of children aged three to seventeen are active on social media, with the figure rising sharply among older teens. Around 95% of 16- and 17-year-olds use social platforms daily, and even over half of those under 13—despite most platforms officially banning users below that age.
These figures paint a troubling picture of how deeply entrenched digital life has become in children’s upbringing—long before they can understand its implications.
Prince Harry’s message, while cautionary, reflects a broader reckoning with the invisible costs of modern connectivity. In an era when AI can mimic faces, voices, and personalities, the decision to protect one’s children from online exposure is less about privacy—and more about survival in a world without digital boundaries.
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