The Duke of Sussex has thanked bereaved families mounting a legal challenge against two of the world's biggest tech companies for 'telling your stories over and over again.'
Prince Harry made the remarks in an at-times emotional address to parents gathered after the start of a landmark trial in California that will examine whether Instagram and YouTube damage young people's mental health.
The families are alleging that the online platforms are addictive by design. Lawyers for YouTube and Meta, which owns Instagram, reject the allegations.
Prince Harry expressed hope for 'truth, justice and accountability' in footage shared exclusively with BBC Breakfast.
His remarks come after the prince launched a campaign for stronger protections for children from the dangers of social media last year.
He conveyed a sense of solidarity with the families: 'We've said time and time again that this is a David versus Goliath situation,' the prince told the bereaved families, who had gathered on Wednesday evening following the day's court proceedings.
'None of you should be here,' Harry said, his voice trembling slightly. 'Thank you for doing everything that you've done. Thank you for telling your stories over and over again. Truth, justice and accountability: those are the three things that will come from this.'
Ellen Roome, whose son tragically died in an online challenge gone wrong, traveled to the US to support the case and emphasized the need for changes to protect other children.
Roome stated that the trial was 'the first of its kind' and remarked that 'the world is waking up' to the dangers that harmful social media content can pose to youth.
The outcome of this trial could have significant implications, potentially affecting other cases filed against social media giants regarding similar concerns about youth safety online.
