A new year and a timely topic
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made their first appearance of 2026 during an online book launch with Oprah Daily. Speaking from their Montecito home, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined Gayle King and authors Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price to discuss phone-based childhoods for the release of the writers’ new book, An Amazing Generation. The focus remained on how screens may affect well-being.
Warnings from experts
Prince Harry asked how constant device use impacts childhood development and what parents can do to create healthier habits. Jonathan Haidt cautioned that once children have devices, important aspects of childhood begin to disappear, including sleep, exercise, time outdoors, friendships, and more. Meanwhile, playing becomes secondary, and children’s routines are then shaped by their screens.
1st pics of 2026🤭🤗
Our faves Meghan & Prince Harry was on OprahDaily, hosted by Gayle King, talking to Jonathan Haidt & Catherine Price about the impact of social media on kid's mental health. 👏🏼 It's an important & serious topic that the Sussexes are committed to tackling.💜 pic.twitter.com/bvx3zQSVMV— Teka🍂🧡🍂🪸 (@MarleyNeens) January 9, 2026
“So, as they get more into a screen-based life, all the things that children need to do get pushed down and pushed out by these screen-based activities, which are engineered for addiction,” Jonathan Haidt revealed.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s future in the online world
This timely conversation about children’s use of screens is now recalling Prince Harry’s past appearance on the Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know podcast last year. During their conversation, the Duke revealed that he and his wife have had tough conversations regarding their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet’s future on social media. While past reports have hinted at the two children stepping into a more public future, their parents’ remarks suggest this change might not happen quickly.
“Because in no logical, fair, ethical, moral world, should a parent have to consider this app, that sits on the phone – which by the way, having a phone for your kid is a really important thing – but the moment that you give them the gateway to everything else, kids will be kids,” the Duke of Sussex said.
Both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been advocates for children’s and youth online safety. In 2024, the pair launched The Parents’ Network, aiming to provide a safe and free support network for parents and children who have experienced harm by social media and the online world.
