King Charles is ‘very concerned’ about social media’s impact on young people

Charles told Rev Tommy MacNeil he fears there are ‘negative influences’ which are leading young folk down a dangerous path – and is concerned about the dark sides of social media

King Charles is “very concerned” about social media’s impact on young people. The alarmed monarch, 79, revealed his worries about the online world to a church minister during an in-depth chat.

He told Rev Tommy MacNeil he fears there are “negative influences” which are leading young folk down a dangerous path. The minister, who runs a charity project on the Scottish island of Lewis, said: “He was very concerned about the negative impact social media was having on young people in so many ways.

“He really understood the problems and the difficulties involved in combating them. King Charles was clearly very concerned about the whole issue and negative influences on young people from social media.

“It is almost impossible to police social media, so we need to find ways to combat that.”

The pair chatted after the rev gave a sermon to Charles and Queen Camilla at Balmoral Castle on Sunday. The royal also highlighted how young people are growing up in a “different world” and that dodgy material they can access on their phones is “frightening”.

Prince William has previously spoken out about the dangers of social media.

During a 2018 speech he warned it can be “used to organise violence” and “normalise speech that is filled with bile and hate”.

He also said it can “create profound feelings of loneliness and inadequacy” and give bullies free rein.

It comes after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle unveiled an installation in April in New York featuring photographs of 50 children who have lost their lives to social media.

Lorin LaFave, whose 14-year-old son Breck Bednar was lured to his death in 2014 after being groomed online, wants more protection.

The online safety campaigner, who now shares Breck’s story in schools through the Breck Foundation, said: “I would love to see age restrictions.

“For me I think children need their childhood longer.

“They’re being exposed to so much adult content and adult relationships too soon, too young, and you’re only a child once.”

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