As part of her advocacy work, Meghan Markle paid a visit to Girls Inc., a nonprofit organization, on October 2 in Santa Barbara, California, to discuss crucial issues affecting young girls. During the visit, she engaged in personal conversations with a group of teenagers, focusing on the impact of online bullying and the challenges of growing up in the digital age.
Photo: Instagram.com/sussexroyal
The founder of the nonprofit #HalfTheStory, Larissa May, spoke with Vanity Fair about the interactive activities that took place. “We did an activity where we talked through a bunch of scenarios, and Markle talked about being one of the most bullied people in the world,” May said. The teens participated by waving emoji signs, expressing how various scenarios would affect them emotionally.
This visit occurred with the announcement of a partnership between #HalfTheStory, Girls Inc., and the Duchess of Sussex‘s Archwell Foundation. The initiative, funded alongside Melinda French Gates Pivotal Ventures and the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, was revealed on October 11, marking International Day of the Girl.
The partnership resulted in the development of ‘Social Media U,’ a learning initiative aimed at promoting positive interactions between girls and technology. According to a statement from The Archewell Foundation, the initiative aims to improve digital wellness for girls, particularly in underserved communities, and reduce the negative effects of social media on teenagers.
To ensure the curriculum resonates with its young audience, a teen advisory board contributed to its development. “We really wanted to make sure that the teens at #HalfTheStory were able to give their input on the type of experience that we would create,” May noted. “Ultimately, we thought the best way to do that was to create a space of vulnerability.”
Meghan Markle has been transparent about her personal encounters with cyberbullying, emphasizing the importance of sharing one’s story for healing. In a recent interview with Jane Pauley on CBS Sunday Morning, she shared, “When you’ve been through any level of pain or trauma, I believe part of our healing journey, certainly part of mine, is being able to be really open about it.”
Markle hopes to provide young girls with the skills they need to manage their digital lives more skillfully through programs like Social Media U.
