Building a Responsible Digital Future

This evening, Prince Harry and Meghan participated in the Responsible Digital Future Summit at the Universidad EAN, one of the top-ranking universities in Latin America. Hosted by The Office of the Vice President of Colombia, in alliance with The Archewell Foundation and Luminate, the event brought together a diverse group of thought leaders, experts, activists, and community members who are united by a shared vision of fostering a healthier and more ethical digital landscape.

A central focus of the summit was the urgent need to highlight online safety in the Global South. Despite the majority of research on the mental health effects of social media being conducted in the Global North, 88% of the world’s population and most adolescents reside in the Global South. This region faces particular challenges, with Latin American teenagers checking social media an average of 67 times a day, compared to the global average of 45 times.

The summit addressed these issues by exploring innovative solutions and strategies to ensure that technology serves the common good, particularly in regions that are often underrepresented in global tech dialogues. The conversation highlighted how The Archewell Foundation’s extensive global reach and unique programming are well-positioned to influence cultural and policy changes, especially in anticipation of the country’s Global Ministerial Conference scheduled for November.

To close the summit, the couple were delighted to reconnect with Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa, whom they had previously interviewed for Time magazine a few years ago. Together, along with Vice President Francia Márquez, they participated in a panel discussion that focused on actionable pathways for achieving a more responsible and inclusive digital future. The conversation underscored the urgency in prioritizing humanity and connection over an increasingly unsafe digital landscape.

“With the Archewell Foundation, me and my wife believe that information integrity is a fundamental right,” the Duke of Sussex shared during the discussion. 

“We should model how we want our kids to be raised and for the world in which we raise them,” the Duchess of Sussex said. “It doesn’t matter where you live. It doesn’t matter who you are. Either you personally or someone you know is a victim to what’s happening online. And that’s something we can actively work on every day to remedy.”