Meghan Markle is speaking candidly—and personally—about the realities of online scrutiny, and the long-term impact it can have on mental health.
During a visit to Batyr, a youth mental health organization, alongside Prince Harry, Meghan addressed a group of students at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. The conversation centered on digital culture, emotional resilience, and the pressures young people face online.
But at one point, Meghan shifted the focus inward.
“Every day for 10 years, I have been bullied and attacked,” she said.
It’s a statement that reframes much of her public narrative—not as isolated incidents, but as a sustained experience.
“And I was the most trolled person in the entire world. Now, I’m still here,” she continued.
The comment, as reported by People, underscores the scale of attention—and criticism—she has faced over the past decade, particularly since stepping into the global spotlight.
But Meghan didn’t stop at personal reflection.
She also addressed the broader systems at play, pointing to the structural nature of online platforms.
She noted that social media companies are “not incentivized to stop,” highlighting the way engagement-driven models often reward controversy and negativity.
From there, the conversation turned toward connection—why these discussions matter, and why she chooses to engage with them directly.
“I could speak to that really personally, which is why I like to listen, because it rings true for me in a very real way,” she said.
Her emphasis on listening—not just speaking—added a layer of nuance to the moment, positioning her not just as a public figure sharing her story, but as someone actively engaging with others navigating similar experiences.
Still, her message remained grounded in realism.
“And when I think of all of you and what you’re experiencing, I think so much of that is having to realize that you know that industry, that billion-dollar industry, that is completely anchored and predicated on cruelty to get clicks — that’s not going to change. So you have to be stronger than that,” Meghan continued.
Alongside her, Prince Harry added his own reflections—equally personal, but from a different vantage point.
He spoke about the emotional toll of untreated mental health struggles, sharing:
“Social media has led to so much loneliness for so many people…I waited until I was literally in the fetal position, much older, lying on the kitchen floor. Until I was like, okay maybe this therapy thing — maybe I should try it.”
The admission adds context to the couple’s ongoing advocacy work, particularly around mental health awareness and digital well-being.
Harry also addressed Australia’s decision to ban social media access for children under 16—a policy that has sparked global conversation.
“Australia took the lead. Your government was the first country in the world to bring about a ban. Now we can sit here and debate the pros and cons of a ban — I’m not here to judge that. All I will say is from a responsibility and leadership standpoint — epic. Because so many countries have now followed suit, but it should have never got to a ban.”
