Meghan Markle Highlights the Cruelty of Online Bullying During Pregnancy
Meghan Markle recently shared her distressing experiences with online bullying, particularly highlighting the harsh criticism she faced from other women, which she described as both “disturbing” and “cruel.” Addressing a captivated audience as a keynote speaker on the first day of the South by Southwest festival, Markle delved into the challenges and traumatic nature of social media, especially for new mothers.
Her poignant reflections were part of the “Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen” panel. During her conversation, the Duchess of Sussex revealed the online hostility she encountered during her pregnancies with her children, Archie and Lilibet. Markle emphasized the severity of the bullying, stating, “It’s not just catty behavior; it’s outright cruel, told NBC News.
She added how “disturbing” it is “Much of the hate is women completely spewing it to other women”, explaining she “cannot make sense of that”.
The mom-of-two went on: “It’s a platform that has quite a bit of hate and rhetoric and incentives people to create pages where they can churn out very, very inciting comments and conspiracy theories that can have a tremendously negative effect on someone’s mental health, on their physical safety.
She claimed someone who is spreading hate speech online, is as if “we have forgotten about our humanity.”
And it’s baffling why anyone would choose to be so hurtful, especially during such a vulnerable time as pregnancy and the early stages of motherhood, which we all understand to be incredibly delicate and sacred.” Markle also shared some words of wisdom for those who might find themselves in similar situations, suggesting that one can either be overwhelmed by such negativity or choose to rise above it, focusing on self-protection and the well-being of their children.
In addition to addressing her struggles with online abuse, Markle took the opportunity to commend Prince Harry for his unwavering support and his role as a devoted father. Highlighting the importance of having a supportive partner during such vulnerable times, she acknowledged Harry’s presence in the audience and lauded him for being an active and supportive partner and father.
Meghan’s reflections extended to the broader challenges faced by new mothers online, emphasizing the need for protective measures to ensure that women, particularly mothers, do not feel further exposed to vulnerability when engaging with social media.
Both Meghan and Harry have been vocal advocates for mental health awareness, often sharing their journeys to shed light on the importance of mental well-being. Markle has previously been open about her struggles with suicidal thoughts during her pregnancy with Archie, a candid revelation that garnered significant attention and praise for its honesty.
Similarly, Harry has actively contributed to the discourse on mental health, through his literary work “Spare,” and the Apple TV+ series “The Me You Can’t See,” which he co-created with Oprah Winfrey. Their continued efforts to destigmatize mental health issues and to share their personal experiences serve as a beacon of hope and support for many facing similar challenges.