Prince Harry went to the European Parliament to speak about protecting children online. He left with an invitation to help bring lawmakers from around the world together to do something about it.

Belgian MEP Hilde Vautmans asked the Duke of Sussex to become the “godfather” of a proposed global coalition of parliamentarians working for children’s rights in the digital age. Her request came after Harry spoke at the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial in Brussels and joined a discussion on online safety.

Vautmans told Harry that his presence could help open doors and bring attention to the campaign. She asked him to help sustain the momentum for legislation to protect children from online harm.

For us, that invitation matters. Harry did not have to demand a place in the conversation: a lawmaker invited him to help carry the work forward. Families and campaigners have spent years fighting to be heard, and his platform can help bring their concerns into rooms where decisions are made.

Harry calls for tech companies to take responsibility

During the discussion, Harry urged lawmakers to place responsibility for safety on the companies designing digital products. He said protections should be built into services from the beginning, rather than leaving families to deal with harm after it happens.

He also backed the proposed EU Kids Act. The European Commission’s proposal includes a ban on social media accounts for children under 13, supervised accounts for 13- and 14-year-olds, age verification and safety measures built into digital services. The legislation still needs to go through the EU lawmaking process. European Commission

Harry also warned that artificial intelligence is creating new risks for children. His point was simple: policymakers cannot afford to wait for more families to experience harm before demanding safeguards.

Standing Alongside Families

The Lost Screen Memorial honours children and young people who died after experiencing harm on social media. Its illuminated displays show their faces, while their families share their stories and call for change.

Among those present was Sandra Spitaels, whose son Glenn died after an intimate image of him was shared online. After Sandra spoke about her family’s experience, Meghan Sussex embraced her in a moving gesture of solidarity.

The Archewell Foundation initiative has previously appeared in New York and Geneva. Each installation gives families another opportunity to tell their children’s stories and remind those in power what is at stake.

That call for accountability should extend beyond technology companies. Media outlets and commentators who amplify hostility and harassment should also answer for the harm their coverage can cause.

A Warm Welcome in Brussels

Supporters gathered outside the European Parliament in Brussels on 10 November, hoping to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry and Meghan as they arrived for the Lost Screen Memorial event.

Footage shared by journalist Eliza Gkritsi showed the crowd waiting outside, while another video captured attendees inside the Parliament holding up their phones as Harry walked through.

The welcome showed the interest Harry and Meghan continue to attract, as well as the attention they can bring to causes they care about. In Brussels, that attention helped shine a light on families calling for stronger protections for children online.

We’re glad to see Harry and Meghan standing alongside those families and receiving support as they continue this important work.

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