The Duke of Cambridge will deliver a keynote speech on children’s mental health at the Children’s Global Media Summit on Wednesday 6 December.
The keynote session will explore how unlimited freedom in the digital world may be impacting on children’s mental health and wellbeing. It will also examine what those in the industry should do next to engage with the everyday problems that young people face online.
The keynote session, addressing delegates from more than 30 countries working in children’s media, will be hosted by BBC radio presenter Greg James.
The Duchess of Cambridge will also attend the event in Manchester, UK, joining a private round table opened by Sesame Workshop, the charitable foundation for Sesame Street, on research commissioned into children and kindness. During the visit, Their Royal Highnesses will also speak to local schoolchildren taking part in a ‘Stepping Out’ focus group session with BBC Children’s.
Director of BBC Children’s Alice Webb, who will chair the Summit, said: “We’re honoured to be joined by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Summit as we commit to making the digital world a better place for future generations. “The Royal Foundation has led the way in supporting young people online so we know our delegates will be thrilled to hear from the Duke on his hopes for the future of media.”
The appearance follows the announcement of a new code of conduct earlier this month by The Royal Foundation's Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyberbullying, of which the BBC is a member. The initiative 'Stop, Speak, Support' was announced by the Duke during Anti-Bullying Week.
Taking place from 5-7 December, the Summit will also feature keynotes from leading figures at YouTube, Sesame Workshop, Viacom Africa, The Envisioners and The Premier League. The Summit will seek to redesign the digital world for future generations of young people, within five themes of empowerment, innovation, freedom, entertainment and education.
Other sessions at the Summit will include Thriving Online, exploring how young people can strike a balance between freedom and wellbeing online, and Digital Distractions, a discussion on whether the digital the world disrupts children’s developmental milestones.
For more information, visit: www.cgms17.com
