Prince Harry writes an essay asking us to Re-Think how we use Social Media

Prince Harry has penned an essay about the need for more compassionate (and intelligent) use of social media. It was published on the Fast Company website. 

Harry's article starts as follows: A little over four weeks ago, my wife and I started calling business leaders, heads of major corporations, and chief marketing officers at brands and organisations we all use in our daily lives. Our message was clear: The digital landscape is unwell and companies like yours have the chance to reconsider your role in funding and supporting online platforms that have contributed to, stoked, and created the conditions for a crisis of hate, a crisis of health, and a crisis of truth.

Prince Harry later says: From conversations with experts in this space, we believe we have to remodel the architecture of our online community in a way defined more by compassion than hate; by truth instead of misinformation; by equity and inclusiveness instead of injustice and fearmongering; by free, rather than weaponised, speech. 

Looking forward Harry states: We have an opportunity to do better and remake the digital world, to look at the past and use it to inform the future. We must take a critical eye to the last two decades, where advancements in technology and media have outgrown many of the antiquated guardrails that once ensured they were being designed and used appropriately. It shouldn’t be seen as a coincidence that the rise of social media has been matched by a rise in division amongst us globally. 

Harry sees the time has ripe to adjust how we use social media and examine what the effects are on our mental health. 

He also urges us to reflect on the potential damage unrestricted use of social media can have on children. 

These are just a few excerpts from the article which can be read in its entirety on the Fast Company site.

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