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On March 26, 2026, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex expressed their approval of a recent US court ruling holding Meta and YouTube accountable for negligence.
A young woman named Kaley filed a lawsuit against these digital giants, claiming their platforms were intentionally designed to be addictive, adversely affecting her mental health as she matured. The Los Angeles jury sided with her, determining that the companies significantly contributed to her distress. Following the verdict, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle commended the decision as a pivotal moment for families.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are advocates for online safety
In their statement, the couple remarked, “This verdict is a reckoning. For too long, families have been burdened by platforms created without considering the impact on children. We stand with every parent and young person who refused to be silenced. Today, the truth has been heard, and a precedent has been set.”
On their official website, Harry and Meghan, parents to six-year-old Prince Archie and four-year-old Princess Lilibet, further celebrated the “landmark” ruling, emphasizing its significance for the future.
In a longer statement on their website, the couple – who have Prince Archie, six, and four-year-old Princess Lilibet together – further praised the “landmark” ruling.
They wrote in part: “Today’s verdict in Los Angeles and yesterday’s ruling in New Mexico are landmark victories for families, advocates, and young people everywhere—and a powerful message that justice has caught up to Big Tech.
“After years of denial and deflection, a jury has confirmed what parents and experts have said all along: the harm isn’t in parenting, it’s in product design. The systems driving our social media platforms have been built to exploit, not protect, and accountability has finally arrived.
“The products, design choices, and business models at the center of this trial weren’t theoretical—they were weaponised in ways that shaped how young people live, learn, and connect. This case pulled back the curtain on what we have long known: profit is prioritized over protection, transparency is sacrificed for engagement, and the costs fall on children and families.”
As part of the ruling, Meta and YouTube were ordered to pay $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for 70% of the sum. They must also pay punitive damages linked to the findings of malice or fraud, but the figure has yet to be determined.
Both Meta and YouTube have spoken out about the verdict.
A Meta spokesperson said: “Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app.”
And a YouTube representative said: “We respectfully disagree with the verdict and are evaluating our legal options,” a Meta spokesperson said.
A Google spokesperson said: “This case misunderstands YouTube, which is a responsibly built streaming platform, not a social media.”
Harry and Meghan have been advocates for online safety, with the subject a focus for their Archewell Philanthropies foundation.
In February, Harry met with families who have taken legal action against social media platforms.
He told them: “Thank you for doing everything that you’ve done. Thank you for telling your stories over and over again. Truth, justice and accountability — those are the three things that will come from this.”
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