Prince Harry issues dire warning about smartphones 'stealing childhoods'

has voiced his concerns about the detrimental effects of smartphones on today's youth during a discussion with Jonathan Haidt, author of "The Anxious Generation," in observance of World Mental Health Day on October 10.

In a video released by , the Duke of Sussex, aged 40, initiated the dialogue by claiming that "in many cases, the smartphone is stealing young people's childhood," drawing attention to the increasing reliance children have on these ubiquitous devices.

Despite the stark nature of his comment, social psychologist Haidt concurred with Prince Harry's observation. He pointed out that post-1995 generations in English-speaking countries are entering puberty facing heightened levels of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts, which can be linked to their interaction with smartphones, as reported by magazine.

Harry further emphasized the importance of holding parties accountable for this issue, challenging the widespread belief that "social media companies point the finger at parents" regarding the escalating mental health crisis among the young. He highlighted the blame-shifting tactics of these companies, who often retort: " 'Well, you know, this is down to you. This is down to your parenting.' ".

Haidt was quick to challenge the idea, stating: "If there were some parents who were getting this wrong and most parents were getting it right, then I'd be very receptive to that argument. But once kids get a phone and social media, the rest of family life turns into a fight over screen time. And this is happening everywhere," reports .

"The tech companies put us in a bind, and then they're trying to blame us for what they did," he continued.

Despite the drawbacks associated with smartphones, Prince Harry highlighted that many parents appreciate the peace of mind that comes with their child having a phone, as it provides a means for them to reach out in case of an emergency at school.

Haidt then advised, "Give them a phone. Just don't give them a supercomputer connected to everyone in the world."

Prince Harry, father to two young children, 5, and 3, also suggested that many youngsters view platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat as vital connections to their peers, a notion Haidt dismissed as a "myth".

"The research, I think, is very clear: When kids have a best friend or especially a small group [of friends], they generally do well," Haidt explained. "When kids don't have a close friend or close group, they're much less likely to do well. When you have 300 connections, you don't have time for anyone."

"This year, 2024, is the turning point. Terrible things have happened to our kids. We see that now... I don't want to blame any parent because we didn't know this 10 years ago," Haidt concluded.

The discussion occurred just a month after Prince Harry emphasised the perils of social media and children's online content consumption for the Clinton Foundation.

Appearing on CBS Sunday Morning to discuss Archewell foundation's efforts in spotlighting the risks posed by social media, also reiterated her husband's worries.

She stated: "Our kids are young - they're 3 and 5. They're amazing. But all you want to do as parents is protect them. So as we can see what's happening in the online space, we know that there's a lot of work to be done there, and we're just happy to be able to be a part of change for good."

Harry added, "At this point, we've got to the stage where almost every parent needs to be a first responder. And even the best first responders in the world wouldn't be able to tell the signs of possible suicide. That is the terrifying piece of this."