Prince Harry Joins Families Suing YouTube & Meta Over Child Deaths

Duke of Sussex expresses solidarity with bereaved parents in historic legal challenge against social media giants.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Prince Harry joined a group of around 50 bereaved parents in Los Angeles on February 11 as they launched a legal challenge against YouTube and Meta, alleging that the platforms' addictive design contributed to the deaths of their children. The Duke of Sussex expressed his support and drew parallels to his own legal battles, stating that 'truth, justice, and accountability' must come from the case.

Why it matters

This case highlights growing concerns about the impact of social media platforms on vulnerable youth, with allegations that the companies prioritized engagement and profits over user safety. Prince Harry's involvement lends high-profile support to the families' fight for accountability and reform.

The details

The parents are suing YouTube and Meta, the parent company of Instagram, alleging that the platforms' design is intentionally addictive and contributed to the deaths of their children. Prince Harry addressed the families following a court session, expressing solidarity with their cause and drawing parallels to his own legal battles against media companies.

  • The legal proceedings began on February 11, 2026.
  • Prince Harry joined the families and addressed them on February 11, 2026.

The players

Prince Harry

The Duke of Sussex, who has been vocal about the dangers of social media and has launched campaigns to protect children online.

YouTube

A video-sharing platform owned by Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc.

Meta

The parent company of social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.

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What they’re saying

“We've repeatedly said this is a David versus Goliath situation. I've been through similar situations, albeit very different, but when you're sitting in a courtroom and overwhelmed by emotion because you can't believe what the other side is saying – that, by the very nature of their defense, the lies they're telling devalue life, devalue the lives of your children – if that resonates, that's okay.”

— Prince Harry (BBC Breakfast)

“None of you should be here. Thank you for everything you've done. Thank you for telling your stories again and again. Truth, justice, and accountability – those are the three things that will come out of all of this.”

— Prince Harry (BBC Breakfast)

What’s next

The judge in the case is expected to make a decision on whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing public concern over the impact of social media platforms on vulnerable youth, and Prince Harry's involvement lends high-profile support to the families' fight for accountability and reform in the tech industry.