Prince William has warned of the dangers of social media as part of a campaign to tackle cyberbullying.
The 35-year-old British royal will today [16.11.17] announce a so-called green cross code for the 21st century, with the intention of informing young people how they should respond to being bullied over the web.
Prince William – who has joined forces with the likes of Apple, Facebook, Google, Snapchat and Twitter, among others, for the project – said: "I think it’s worth reminding everyone what the human tragedy of what we are talking about here isn’t just about companies and about online stuff.
"It’s actually real lives that get affected.
"And the consequences – that’s the big thing, the consequences – of what happens if things are not kept in check in terms of what we say and what we do, and we are still responsible for our own actions online. This anonymity is really, really dangerous."
Prince William also stressed that there is marked difference between being bullied in the school playground and being teased over the internet.
The Prince – who heard the story of Lucy Alexander, whose 17-year-old son Felix took his own life after being bullied online – reflected: "It’s one thing when it happens in the playground and it’s visible there, and parents and teachers and other children can see it.
"Online you’re the only one who can see it so it’s personal. isn’t it? It goes straight to your room."
Meanwhile, Carolyn Bunting, the CEO of Internet Matters, has echoed the Prince’s sentiment.
She said: "Children are born into a digital world; they are learning, communicating and growing up online.
"But the online world can pose certain risks, such as cyberbullying.
"Parents need to ensure they’ve had early conversations with their children about the importance of staying safe online and help build their digital resilience."
Prince William warns of dangers of social media
