The Duke of Sussex has thanked bereaved families mounting a legal challenge against two of the world's biggest tech companies for 'telling your stories over and over again'.
Prince Harry made the remarks in an at-times emotional address to parents gathered after the start of a landmark trial in California that will examine whether Instagram and YouTube damage young people's mental health.
The families are alleging that the online platforms are addictive by design. Lawyers for YouTube and Meta, which owns Instagram, reject the allegations.
Prince Harry expressed hope for 'truth, justice and accountability' in footage shared exclusively with BBC Breakfast.
His remarks come after the prince launched a campaign for stronger protections for children from the dangers of social media last year.
'We've said time and time again that this is a David versus Goliath situation,' the prince told the bereaved families, who had gathered on Wednesday evening following the day's court proceedings.
'None of you should be here,' Harry said with an audible warble to his voice. '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.'
Ellen Roome, who believes her 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney died after an online challenge went wrong, travelled to the US to support the case. Roome commented, 'We can't make a difference for our children, but we can make a difference for other people's children.'
She noted that the trial was 'the first of its kind' and that 'the world is waking up' to the dangers that 'harmful' social media content can pose to young people. Roome believes that the case will force tech giants to accept 'accountability' for their actions.
The BBC has approached YouTube and Meta for comment. Meta has said in the past that it wants to keep young people safe online and has rolled out features for 'teen accounts' on Instagram. The outcome of this case may also affect other cases seeking tougher restrictions on Meta platforms.
Prince Harry made the remarks in an at-times emotional address to parents gathered after the start of a landmark trial in California that will examine whether Instagram and YouTube damage young people's mental health.
The families are alleging that the online platforms are addictive by design. Lawyers for YouTube and Meta, which owns Instagram, reject the allegations.
Prince Harry expressed hope for 'truth, justice and accountability' in footage shared exclusively with BBC Breakfast.
His remarks come after the prince launched a campaign for stronger protections for children from the dangers of social media last year.
'We've said time and time again that this is a David versus Goliath situation,' the prince told the bereaved families, who had gathered on Wednesday evening following the day's court proceedings.
'None of you should be here,' Harry said with an audible warble to his voice. '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.'
Ellen Roome, who believes her 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney died after an online challenge went wrong, travelled to the US to support the case. Roome commented, 'We can't make a difference for our children, but we can make a difference for other people's children.'
She noted that the trial was 'the first of its kind' and that 'the world is waking up' to the dangers that 'harmful' social media content can pose to young people. Roome believes that the case will force tech giants to accept 'accountability' for their actions.
The BBC has approached YouTube and Meta for comment. Meta has said in the past that it wants to keep young people safe online and has rolled out features for 'teen accounts' on Instagram. The outcome of this case may also affect other cases seeking tougher restrictions on Meta platforms.
