Meghan Markle takes child online safety message to Geneva

Meghan Markle has travelled to Switzerland to deliver a powerful message about safer digital spaces for children, attending the debut of a moving memorial installation in Geneva on Sunday.

A memorial for lost children

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, appeared at Geneva's Place des Nations for the inauguration of the Lost Screen Memorial, ahead of the 79th World Health Assembly.

She was joined by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, global health leaders, and families affected by online harm. The installation features 50 illuminated lightboxes, each displaying the lock screen image of a child who died as a result of online violence or digital harm.

"A public health issue"

In her address, Meghan declared that safe digital spaces are "not simply a technology issue" but a "public health issue," paying tribute to the children commemorated in the memorial.

"Each name belonged to a child who was loved beyond measure. A child whose laughter once filled a kitchen. Whose shoes once waited by a front door. Whose future once felt limitless," she said.

She drew parallels with other public safety crises, adding, "We did not tell parents to create their own seatbelts. We did not shrug at poisoned water or defective toys and call it the price of progress. We acted. And now the world must act again."

Meghan also warned that artificial intelligence is "accelerating and amplifying" past mistakes in online harm. She concluded with a direct call to action: "Because when enough voices refuse to accept harm as the cost of connection, change becomes inevitable."

About the memorial

The installation, created by Archewell Philanthropies in partnership with The Parents' Network, remains on display in Geneva until 22 May. It was previously unveiled in New York City in April 2025 as part of the No Child Lost to Social Media campaign.