Meghan Markle explains why she quit social media

Even if Meghan markleS’s long-term legacy at the palace could spur the communications office to be more creative in her use of social media, her and her husband Prince harry do not particularly like them themselves. Since moving to California earlier this year, the couple have used some of their newfound freedom to advocate against hate speech and disinformation online. Over the summer they partnered with racial justice nonprofit Color of Change for their Stop Hate for Profit campaign, and behind the scenes Meghan and Harry called on business leaders to discuss Facebook moderation strategies. In an interview on Wednesday, Meghan spoke about the depth of her aversion to social media, comparing it to an addiction.

There is very little in this world where you call the person who engages with him as a user, she said in a conversation with Fortunes Emma Hinchliffe. Drug addicts are called users and people who are on social media are called users.

She also opened up about her personal decision to avoid having her own social media accounts, even though she used one for royal work. For my own preservation, I haven’t been on social media for very long, she said. I had a personal account years ago, which I closed and then we got one through the institution and our UK office which was not managed by us, that is was a whole team and I think that comes with the territory for the work you have.

I have a lot of concern for the people who have become obsessed with it, she added. And it’s so much a part of our daily culture for so many people that it’s addictive like many others. There is very little in this world where you call the person who interacts with them a user.

The interview took place as part of the Fortune The Next Generation Most Powerful Women Summit, which was by invitation only and had a registration fee of $ 1,750, according to Business Insider, although the magazine then shared clips of Meghans’ appearance for fifteen minutes on their social media accounts. In an interview in August, Harry said focusing on social media mischief would be one of the main goals of Archewell, his new charity and Meghans business which has seen its official launch delayed by the pandemic. Even as Meghan and Harry discussed the upcoming election, they continued to reaffirm how important social media is to understanding political divisions around the world.

Meghan also opened up about how being a mother has changed her attitude towards activism. You go there every day, how can I make this world a better place for Archie? It’s a shared belief for my husband and I, she said. At the same time, I am careful to put my family in danger with certain things. I’m trying to be very clear in what I’m saying and not be controversial and instead talk about things that seem very simple, like exercising your right to vote. Considering that Meghan and Harry had some hindsight even for her non-partisan involvement in the 2020 election, her reluctance is understandable.

She gave no update on how planning is ahead for Archewell, but said she was excited for what’s to come. There are a lot of things that I’m certainly excited about creating mindful and inspiring, action-oriented and uplifting programs and content, she said. Glad to be back in the U.S. Hope things start to open up a bit more with COVID, just to be back and interacting with people in a different way and in a way that will allow me to roll up my sleeves and really be boots on the field at home.

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