In a candid and powerful speech at the South by Southwest (SXSW) event, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, addressed the relentless online abuse she endured during her pregnancies with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Her words resonated with the audience, offering a glimpse into the cruel reality many public figures face in the digital age.
What did Meghan Markle say at SXSW?
Meghan Markle’s speech at SXSW focused on the harmful effects of cyberbullying and hate on the Internet.
The Duchess revealed that the majority of the “bullying and abuse” she experienced on social media occurred during her pregnancies, a time when she should have been surrounded by warmth and support.
“The bulk of the bullying and abuse that I was experiencing in social media and online, was when I was pregnant with Archie and with Lili,” Meghan shared, her voice tinged with disbelief. “And you just think about that and really wrap your head around what people would be so hateful. It’s not catty, it’s cruel, why you would do that? Certainly when you’re pregnant and you have a newborn.”
The Duchess didn’t hold back in her criticism of the online hatred, expressing her inability to comprehend the motivations behind such cruelty.
“What I find the most disturbing frankly, especially as a supporter of women, is how much of the hate is women completely spewing that to other women. I cannot make sense of that,” she said, calling on female executives in the tech industry to take action against this growing problem.
We can highlight another revelation from Meghan: she does not currently use social media.
Meghan stated that since she suffered “bullying” and “abuse” online she “keeps a distance” from social media.
Meghan also shed light on the profound impact of cyberbullying on young girls, citing the “important and heartbreaking” work of the Archewell Foundation in supporting victims of social media abuse.
“Children have taken their lives because of the abuse they have received in the online space. Young girls are going online and drowning in this world of comparison, their sense of self is so small and they don’t see the value of being alive,” she lamented.
Amidst the sobering revelations, Meghan took a moment to express her gratitude for the unwavering support of her husband, Prince Harry, describing him as an “incredible hands-on dad” who provides her with the strength to navigate these challenges.