Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, delivered a poignant address at the SXSW conference in Austin, Texas, on Friday, March 8, 2024, where she shed light on the pervasive issue of online abuse and cyberbullying.
During her speech at the event that coincided with International Women’s Day, the Duchess opened up about the disturbing extent of the hateful comments and bullying she faced on social media, particularly during her pregnancy.
She expressed bewilderment at the cruelty behind such attacks and called for a collective effort to address the dehumanizing nature of online interactions.
“In the digital space, in certain sectors of the media, we have forgotten about our humanity, and that has to change,” Meghan said.
She highlighted the profit-driven motives behind such behavior but stressed that financial gain should not overshadow the importance of preserving human dignity and empathy.
“I understand that there is a bottomline and I understand that a lot of money is being made there. But even if it is making dollars, it doesn’t make sense,” she stressed.
The Duchess’s remarks resonated with many, shedding light on the toxic culture that permeates social media platforms and online communities.
Her call for a shift in perspective and a renewed focus on compassion and understanding garnered attention and sparked conversations about the impact of online abuse on mental health and well-being.
Since her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018, the former actress has come under intense social media scrutiny and criticism for a potpourri of social and political issues.
