Meghan Markle warns of the effect social media has on young people's mental health

Meghan spoke about the pressures on young people (Getty)
Meghan spoke about the pressures on young people (Getty)

The Duchess of Sussex has spoken about the negative impact social media can have on young people’s mental health.

She said: “Young people find it so difficult.

“You see photos on social media and you don’t know whether she’s born with it or maybe it’s a filter.

“Your judgement of your sense of self worth becomes really skewed when it’s all based on likes.”

Meghan’s warning came as she and the Duke visited the Marenui Cafe in Wellington, where they met youngsters from a number of mental health projects operating in New Zealand.

The Duke and Duchess met with representatives from mental health projects in New Zealand (Getty)
The Duke and Duchess met with representatives from mental health projects in New Zealand (Getty)

The Duchess shut down all of her social media accounts and her lifestyle website The Tig last January, just a few months before her and Harry’s wedding.

Mental health has been a key issue within the work that the couple focus on, together with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

During the meeting on Monday morning (local time) Harry also spoke about his struggles with his own mental health, after losing his mother Princess Diana, aged 12.

He said: “It took me about three or four years to start the journey and then after that you still have to find the right people to speak to.

“I think anyone who has overcome mental health problems often go out of their own way to help others.”

The couple in Abel Tasman National Park (Getty)
The couple in Abel Tasman National Park (Getty)

The couple later travelled to Abel Tasman National Park for a trail walk and lunch with some local school children.

On Monday evening (local time), Harry and Meghan visited Courtenay Creative, which runs programmes for young students and professionals working in Wellington’s vibrant film and creative industries.

The pair laughed as they posed for photos with a number of actors in make-up and costume.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pose for a photo with actors in costume during a visit to Courtenay Creative, in Wellington (PA)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex pose for a photo with actors in costume during a visit to Courtenay Creative, in Wellington (PA)

On Tuesday, the royals will make their way to Redvale, Auckland to unveil the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.

Following this, they will join New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for a visit to Pillars, a charity that supports children, who have a parent in prison, by providing special mentoring schemes.

In the evening, Harry and Meghan will attend a reception hosted by the Prime Minister at the Auckland War Museum.


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