This Is Why Prince Harry Says Social Media Can Be More Addictive Than Drugs and Alcohol

Whether you spend your days scrolling on Instagram or thinking of clever quips to tweet on Twitter –or you just use social media when necessary –you have to admit that the world is enchanted by it. Since social media is still relatively new –we haven’t seen the long term effects of what it will do to our society, but we do know that mental health issues are on the rise among young people. Social media has promoted an era of bullying, trolling, fear of missing out, and being anti-social. If you’re not careful –the negative aspects of social media can undoubtedly outweigh the positive.

For Prince Harry — who grew up in an era without social media, this is very alarming. The Duke of Sussex believes that our obsession with social media can be very harmful. This is why the prince thinks social media can be more addictive than drugs and alcohol.

Why does Prince Harry think social media can be more additctive then drugs and alcohol?

As he gears of for paternity leave and the arrival of Baby Sussex (literally any day now) –Prince Harry still has a few events on his calendar. Recently, the Duke of Sussex visited the YMCA in South Ealing. The red-headed prince chatted with parents, popped in on a children’s ballet class, talked with the staff, and met with some of the YMCA’s residents. He was also eager to learn more about the YMCA’s #IAMWHOLE campaign. The campaign partners with Britain’s national health service and encourages young people to talk more openly about mental health concerns while offering them support.

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Today The Duke of Sussex met with families, children and young adults at @Ymcaenglandandwales in South Ealing as a continuation of his dedicated work in the mental health space. “There continues to be huge progress in smashing the stigma that surrounds mental health, but let’s keep normalising the conversation. Let’s keep reminding each other that it’s okay to not be okay, and to listen to each other. After all, how we think determines how we act, how we feel, and how we treat ourselves and those around us.” -The Duke of Sussex. It takes courage, strength and honesty, but talking through your mental health issues often becomes the key to dealing with them. Just like physical exercise, which we all know is good for us; we have to care for our minds as much as we do for our bodies. 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. It is a part of all of us. Have an unashamed conversation on how you feel, be empowered to share your story and you will see you are not alone. For more information visit @heads_together.⁣ – Royal Communications / PA

A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Apr 3, 2019 at 11:02am PDT

During a roundtable discussion, the prince opened up about why social media can be detrimental to mental health. He said,

There is too much negativity surrounding mental health, and no wonder it’s so hard for young people to actually talk about it. Look at growing up in today’s world. Social media is more addictive than drugs and alcohol yet it’s more dangerous because it’s normalized and there are no restrictions to it. We are in really quite a mind-altering time, as well as an exciting time, because everyone in this room has the opportunity to make a real difference and to change the times. So that younger people coming through are less connected to their phones—well they can be just as connected to their phones if they want to be—but they have to have the human connection as well. Without that human connection, when you do have a problem you have nowhere to go. And the only place you might go is back online.

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The Duke of Sussex, 34, was at YMCA South Ealing for an engagement highlighting youth mental health issues, but couldn't resist joining in a session being held for four to six years olds in an activity room at the West London centre.Harry couldn't keep the smile from his face as he took part in a children's ballet class at a YMCA in west London today. Pictured, the royal shows off his balancing skills The Duke of Sussex demonstrated his natural paternal instincts when he crouched down to speak to the youngsters, shaking their hands and encouraging the rest of the group to come in closer so they could hear him speak. The prince asked Emanuel Lester, five, what his favourite part of the class was and was told 'the ballet challenge'. Intrigued, Harry, 34, asked what that was and teacher Jade Groves explained that it was when the children practiced their balance by standing on one leg with a plastic disc on their head. 'Do you guys want to show him?' she asked the children, and they all stood up. _____ #duchessofsussex #dukeofsussex #katemiddleton #duchessofcornwall #internationalwomensday #meghanmarkle #queenelizabeth #meghanduchessofsussex #dukeofcambridge #princessofwales.#meghanandharry #meghanmarkle #dukeofcambridge #dukeofedinburgh #dukeofsussex #princeharry #princegeorge #princesscharlotte #princelouis #pippamiddleton #princesseugenie #princeedward #princessroyal #princessmargaret #princesseugenie #princewilliamdukeofcambridge #princesscharlote #princecharles #duchessofcornwall #duchessofcambridge #duchessofsussex#kateandwilliam #katemiddleton #kateandwilliam

A post shared by Meghan Markle✨ (@_duchess_of_sussex_) on Apr 4, 2019 at 5:18am PDT

Will Prince Harry and Meghan Markle allow Baby Sussex to play with tablets and video games?

Since Baby Sussex will be a member of the British Royal family, they won’t be allowed to have a personal social media account. However, it looks like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will also take notes from Prince William and Kate Middleton and ban the little royal from tablets and iPads.

A source told US Weekly, “As two people who grew up without gadgets for entertainment themselves, William and Kate are firm believers in toys, outdoor play and encouraging an active imagination.” During his YMCA visit –Prince Harry also discussed how appalling violent video games are –especially Fortnite. He said, “That game shouldn’t even be allowed. What is the benefit of having that game in your household, no matter what age you are? It’s created as an addiction to keep you in front of a computer as long as possible.”

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