‘Truth has been heard’: Harry and Meghan speak out after Meta, YouTube hit with shock verdict

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have issued a strong response after a US jury delivered a major verdict against Meta and YouTube, calling it a long-overdue moment of accountability for Big Tech.

Reacting to the Los Angeles ruling, which found both companies liable in a landmark social media addiction case, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said the decision signals a turning point for families affected by online harm.

“This verdict is a reckoning,” the couple said. “For too long, families have paid the price for platforms built with total disregard for the children they reach. Today, the truth has been heard and precedent has been set.”

The case centred on a young woman who argued that social media platforms were deliberately designed to be addictive, impacting her mental health as she grew up. Jurors sided with the plaintiff, concluding the companies played a substantial role in causing harm.

The jury ordered $3 million in compensatory damages, with Meta held responsible for 70 per cent. It also found that Meta and Google could face further punitive damages tied to findings of malice or fraud, with the final figure still pending.

In a more detailed statement, Harry and Meghan framed the verdict as part of a wider shift against powerful tech firms.

“Today’s verdict in Los Angeles and yesterday’s ruling in New Mexico are landmark victories,” they said. “Justice has caught up to Big Tech.”

They argued the issue lies in how platforms are built, not how children are raised, saying the systems are “designed to exploit, not protect”.

Both companies rejected the verdict. A Meta spokesperson said it disagrees with the decision and is evaluating legal options, adding that teen mental health cannot be attributed to a single app. A Google spokesperson said the case mischaracterises YouTube, describing it as a responsibly built streaming platform rather than a social network.

The couple’s reaction is in line with their ongoing advocacy through Archewell Philanthropies, where online safety and youth mental health have become central issues.

Through the Archewell Parents’ Network, they have worked closely with families affected by social media harm, helping amplify their stories and push for stronger protections.

Earlier this year, Prince Harry met families taking legal action against platforms, praising their persistence and calling for “truth, justice and accountability”.

The pair have also taken the campaign public through high-profile initiatives, including a New York memorial displaying smartphones with images of children whose lives were lost following harmful online experiences.

Meghan said at the event that despite divisions, one issue remains universal: keeping children safe.

“All of our children should be safe,” she said.