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NEW YORK — <\/span>NEW YORK (AP) \u2014 Prince Harry<\/a> and Meghan Markle<\/a> urged parents to stand against social media companies that they said prey upon children with exploitative algorithms as the \u201cexplosion of unregulated artificial intelligence\u201d adds to their concerns that technologies’ benefits are inseparable from its dangers.<\/p>\n To underscore that point, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex cited research from advocacy group ParentsTogether that found researchers posing as children experienced harmful interactions every five minutes they spent with an artificial intelligence chatbot.<\/p>\n \u201cThis wasn\u2019t content created by a third party. These were the companies\u2019 own chatbots working to advance their own depraved internal policies,” said Prince Harry at Spring Studios in Manhattan Thursday night as he and Markle were named Humanitarians of the Year by the nonprofit Project Healthy Minds. “But here\u2019s what gives us hope: these families aren\u2019t facing this alone.\u201d <\/p>\n To build their movement of families fighting for online safety, the couple also announced Thursday that their foundation’s Parents Network would join forces with ParentsTogether.<\/p>\n Their remarks came at the annual gala for Project Healthy Minds, a Millennial- and Gen Z-driven tech nonprofit that runs a free online marketplace aiming to connect patients with the exact mental health care they seek.<\/p>\n The couple has made youth mental health a cornerstone<\/a> of their philanthropic work since launching the Archewell Foundation in 2020 after stepping aside as working royals<\/a>. Through its network for families who have experienced online harm and support of youth-led organizations shaping responsible technology, the nonprofit works to make digital spaces safer.<\/p>\n Prince Harry has previously stressed the need to hold powerful social media companies accountable. He warned last year that young people are experiencing an \u201cepidemic\u201d of anxiety, depression and social isolation<\/a> driven by negative experiences online.<\/p>\n According to numerous studies<\/a>, few guardrails exist<\/a> to mitigate kids’ exposure to age-inappropriate content including pornography and violence on social media, where they also face cyberbullying and sexual harassment.<\/p>\n The issue could also be considered personal for the couple. Markle has been open about her mental health struggles<\/a> due to what she describes as the royal family\u2019s intense pressures and tabloid attacks. Harry’s own personal life has been the subject of much tabloid reporting, including targeted phone hacking and surveillance<\/a>.<\/p>\n Prince Harry brought his awareness campaign to a reception Wednesday night hosted by men’s health nonprofit Movember. In a conversation with television journalist Brooke Baldwin, he emphasized that men should not feel isolated because he repeatedly hears the same struggles when he speaks with them.<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest barrier is the belief that no one will understand,\u201d he said in comments reshared on his blog<\/a>. “Loneliness convinces you you\u2019re the only one, which is rarely true.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCulture makers\u201d such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are important voices in mental health conversations because they inspire their enormous audiences to seek care, according to Project Healthy Minds CEO Phil Schermer.<\/p>\n But Schermer emphasized that the \u201cmoment of inspiration is fleeting\u201d and it’s important for celebrities to take the extra step of partnering with trusted organizations that can actually deliver care.<\/p>\n He pointed to NBC television personality Carson Daly, the gala’s host, as an example. Daly opened up about his own anxiety on the air after reading a 2018 essay by NBA champion Kevin Love about an in-game panic attack.<\/p>\n Daly, a Project Healthy Minds board member, said mental health is now the most common topic that comes up when fans recognize him in public.<\/p>\n \u201cI was like, \u2019I want to put all my eggs in this basket’ because I see the power even when I tell my story, it unlocks so many other people telling their story,\u201d Daly told the Associated Press. \u201cAnd I think that process \u2014 that\u2019s how the destigmatization works.\u201d<\/p>\n The money raised Thursday night will help the nonprofit build new filters that break down care options by their insurance providers and preferences for in-person or telehealth service options, according to Schermer. He compared the features to those on travel planning sites such as Expedia that allow users to choose the times, prices and airlines of their flight options.<\/p>\n Schermer said that having a recognizable host in Daly also helps \u201cmake it cool to talk about your emotions.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not just the absence of a stigma,\u201d Schermer said. “It\u2019s also the presence of a sense of pride that by being vulnerable, being honest, being open, that that\u2019s actually your greatest superpower.\u201d<\/p>\n Thursday night\u2019s other honoree was Indianapolis Colts co-owner and chief brand officer Kalen Jackson. The NFL executive \u2014 who talks openly about dealing with anxiety \u2014 has continued the team\u2019s staunch support for mental health<\/a> after the death of her father and beloved former owner Jim Irsay.<\/p>\n Project Healthy Minds recognized Jackson with its inaugural Sports Visionary of the Year Award, presented by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Jackson leads her family\u2019s Kicking The Stigma initiative, which raises awareness about mental health disorders and tries to expand access to care across Indiana and country.<\/p>\n ______<\/p>\n