Prince William blasts social media giants over cyber-bullying

The Duke of Duchess of Cambridge visited the BBC in London today, pictured, where Prince William challenged social media giants to do more on issues including cyber-bullying and privacy

Prince William has accused social media giants of being ‘on the back foot’ when it comes to tackling fake news, privacy and cyber-bullying.

The Duke of Cambridge added ‘shareholders and profits’ were ‘distracting’ firms from the ‘values that made them so successful in the first place’.

In a hard-hitting speech he said technology firms ‘still have a great deal to learn’ about their responsibilities and challenged them to fight harder against ‘poison’ spread online.

Prince William said he believed tech leaders were ‘people of integrity’ but appeared to be unwilling to properly tackle issues from cyber-bullying to privacy and hate speech.

He was speaking during a visit to the BBC in London to view the work the broadcaster is doing as a member of his Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyber-bullying while also highlighting Anti-Bullying Week.

He said ‘widespread optimism’ that arose when the internet first became a fixture of modern life has given way to ‘concern and fear’. 

The Duke of Cambridge added: ‘The noise of shareholders, bottom lines, and profits is distracting them from the values that made them so successful in the first place.

‘They are so proud of what they have built that they cannot hear the growing concern from their users.

‘And increasingly they seemed resigned to a posture with governments and regulators that will be defined by conflict and discord. It does not have to be this way.’

William also said the internet carried many double edges swords that brought as many risks as rewards. 

Making a speech at Broadcasting House, pictured, William said giant online firms had become 'distracted' from their values by 'shareholders and profit'

Making a speech at Broadcasting House, pictured, William said giant online firms had become ‘distracted’ from their values by ‘shareholders and profit’

The Duke and Duchess, right, were welcomed by BBC Director General Tony Hall, second left, and Director of BBC Children's Alice Webb

The Duke and Duchess, right, were welcomed by BBC Director General Tony Hall, second left, and Director of BBC Children’s Alice Webb

The Prince and Kate, pictured with Lord Hall and Ms Webb at Broadcasting House, were at the BBC to see its progress as a member of the Duke's Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyber-bullying

The Prince and Kate, pictured with Lord Hall and Ms Webb at Broadcasting House, were at the BBC to see its progress as a member of the Duke’s Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyber-bullying

William, pictured with Kate in London, added 'widespread optimism' that arose when the internet first became a fixture of modern life has given way to 'concern and fear'

William, pictured with Kate in London, added ‘widespread optimism’ that arose when the internet first became a fixture of modern life has given way to ‘concern and fear’

The Prince added: ‘We have seen that the technology that can allow you to develop an online community around a shared hobby or interest can also be used to organise violence.

‘The platform that can allow you to celebrate diversity can also be used to cocoon yourself in a cultural and political echo chamber.

‘The new ways we have to access news from across the world are also allowing misinformation and conspiracy to pollute the public sphere.

‘And the apps we use to make new friends can also allow bullies to follow their targets even after they have left the classroom or the playing field.’

William, who was with the Duchess of Cambridge, set up his taskforce to stop cyber-bullying among schoolchildren in May 2016.

The couple met youths who wrote and performed a new video for Stop, Speak, Support, a campaign being introduced in schools providing guidance for children on what to do when they see bullying online.

The Prince said he had been moved after meeting bereaved parents of bullied children who had taken their own lives.

He said social media companies had ‘done more to connect the world than has ever been achieved in human history’.

But he added: ‘I am worried, though, that our technology companies still have a great deal to learn about the responsibilities that come with their significant power.

‘I say this not in anger. Again, I believe our tech leaders are people of integrity who are bringing many benefits to our lives and societies.

‘I am very concerned though that on every challenge they face – fake news, extremism, polarisation, hate speech, trolling, mental health, privacy, and bullying – our tech leaders seem to be on the back foot.

The Duke, pictured with Ms Webb, also tried out a new app designed to combat online bullying

The Duke, pictured with Ms Webb, also tried out a new app designed to combat online bullying

William, pictured with Kate in London, said social media giants were 'on the back foot' on issues including privacy and hate speech

William, pictured with Kate in London, said social media giants were ‘on the back foot’ on issues including privacy and hate speech

‘Their self-image is so grounded in their positive power for good that they seem unable to engage in constructive discussion about the social problems they are creating.’ 

The Duchess wore her second recycled outfit in a week, donning a £1,200 dress by Emilia Wickstead which she wore previously in 2014 and 2015, and is from the British designer’s AW13 collection.

She teamed the simple teal number, which boasted a stylish pleated skirt, with Asprey London leaf hoop earrings and black suede Gianvito Rossi pumps while debuting a subtle side parting.

The couple made a surprise appearance on The One Show sofa where they joined Ellie, Eliza and Cameron from Wormholt Park Primary School for a discussion on the upcoming Kids Online Wellbeing app.

Afterwards, they joined BBC director general Lord Hall and director of BBC Children’s Alice Webb to try out the app for themselves.

The couple, who were at Buckingham Palace last night celebrating the Prince of Wales' 70th birthday, appeared to be in good spirits as they chatted to BBC executives during their surprise visit to Broadcasting House on Thursday

The couple, who were at Buckingham Palace last night celebrating the Prince of Wales’ 70th birthday, appeared to be in good spirits as they chatted to BBC executives during their surprise visit to Broadcasting House on Thursday

TV debut! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make a surprise appearance on The One Show sofa where they join Ellie, Eliza and Cameron from Wormholt Park Primary School for a discussion on the upcoming Kids Online Wellbeing app

TV debut! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make a surprise appearance on The One Show sofa where they join Ellie, Eliza and Cameron from Wormholt Park Primary School for a discussion on the upcoming Kids Online Wellbeing app

William and The Royal Foundation convened the Taskforce in May 2016, to support young people and their families affected by cyberbullying, with a focus on 11-16 year olds. 

Chaired by tech entrepreneur Brent Hoberman CBE, the Taskforce members include The Anti-Bullying Alliance, Apple, BT and The Diana Award.

Also involved are EE, Facebook, Google, Internet Matters, Music.ly, NSPCC; O2, Sky, Snapchat, Supercell, TalkTalk, Three, Twitter, Vodafone and Virgin Media.

The couple’s visit today marked the second official engagement in what is shaping up to be a busy week, after Kate and William visited South Yorkshire on Wednesday.

And just last night, they were spotted arriving at Buckingham Palace for a star-studded dinner and reception held in honour of the Prince of Wales’ birthday.

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