In the UK, there was a big conversation about social media and young people. The conversation centered around the death of British teenager Molly Russell, who was only 14 years old when she died by suicide in 2017. After a lengthy investigation into the circumstances around her death, the inquest found that Molly had been exposed to thousands of damaging images and suicide-ideation on several social media platforms, including Instagram and Pinterest. The coroner said it outright: social media significantly contributed to Molly’s death. You can read more about the investigation here.
After the results of the inquest came in, Prince William decided to use his social media to speak about Molly’s death and online safety. This is a statement directly from William, as indicated by his digital signature, “W.”
No parent should ever have to endure what Ian Russell and his family have been through. They have been so incredibly brave. Online safety for our children and young people needs to be a prerequisite, not an afterthought. W
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 30, 2022
William is right that “Online safety for our children and young people needs to be a prerequisite, not an afterthought.” Social media is literally changing young people’s brains. There are social media addictions and unchecked campaigns of abuse, racism, misogyny. Social media threats become real-life threats all too easily. But… once again, is William the person to speak about this? It’s reminiscent of his “racism in football” campaign – he thinks he can dip his toe in, say some words and everything is solved. I’m surprised that William didn’t declare himself “bored” with online safety.
Just like William’s selective concerns about racism (in football), he’s awfully selective about what kinds of abusive social media he cares about. Still, to this very day, William has not said one word of condemnation for the racist and misogynistic hate campaigns – primarily on social media – against his sister-in-law and his niece and nephew. He has never publicly shown support for Harry, Meghan or their children. In fact, it would be interesting to know if some of the hate campaign was bought and paid for by Kensington Palace.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
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- Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales and his wife Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales visit the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) Holyhead Lifeboat Station in Anglesey, north west Wales on September 27, 2022.,Image: 726451037, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: PAUL ELLIS / Avalon
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- Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, visit St Thomas Church, a re-developed church in Swansea which supports people in the local area and across the City and County of Swansea. Tuesday 27 September 2022.,Image: 726477612, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph / Avalon
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- Prince William, Prince of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales, visit St Thomas Church, a re-developed church in Swansea which supports people in the local area and across the City and County of Swansea. Tuesday 27 September 2022.,Image: 726477686, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Geoff Pugh for the Telegraph / Avalon
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King Charles, Camilla, Queen Consort, Prince William, Catherine Princess of Wales, Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex on a walkabout to meet members of the public at Windsor Castle in Berkshire following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
Featuring: Prince Harry, Meghan Duchess of Sussex
Where: Windsor, England, United Kingdom
When: 10 Sep 2022
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images**North America Rights Only**
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Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales visit tributes left at Sandringham
Featuring: Catherine, Princess of Wales, Kate, Prince William, Prince of Wales
Where: Sandringham, Norfolk, United Kingdom
When: 15 Sep 2022
Credit: Cover Images
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Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales visit tributes left at Sandringham
Featuring: Catherine, Princess of Wales, Kate, Prince William, Prince of Wales
Where: Sandringham, Norfolk, United Kingdom
When: 15 Sep 2022
Credit: Cover Images
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Prince William And Catherine Princess Of Wales at the Army Training Centre (ATC) Pirbright in Guildford, Surrey, meeting troops from the Commonwealth who have been deployed to the UK to take part in the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Soldiers from Canada, Australia and New Zealand have gathered at Pirbright to rehearse their roles in the funeral on Monday.
Featuring: Prince William And Catherine Princess Of Wales
Where: Guildford, England, United Kingdom
When: 16 Sep 2022
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images**North America Rights Only**
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Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales visit the Army Training Centre (ATC) Pirbright in Guildford, Surrey, meeting troops from the Commonwealth who have been deployed to the UK to take part in the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Soldiers from Canada, Australia and New Zealand have gathered at Pirbright to rehearse their roles in the funeral on Monday.
Featuring: Prince William, Prince of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales
Where: Guildford, Surrey, United Kingdom
When: 16 Sep 2022
Credit: Cover Images
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The Prince and Princess of Wales meet volunteers and operational staff at Windsor Guildhall, Berkshire, who were involved in facilitating the Committal Service for Queen Elizabeth II at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on Monday and supporting the crowds that gathered to commemorate her passing.
Featuring: Prince William and Catherine Princess of Wales
Where: Berkshire, England, United Kingdom
When: 22 Sep 2022
Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages.com/Cover Images**North America Rights Only**
