We’re moved to announce the public launch of The Parents’ Network (TPN), a powerful new initiative from the Archewell Foundation, founded by Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. For the past year, in partnership with The Archewell Foundation and others, CARS has been working behind the scenes on this crucial project to build a safe and supportive space for parents and caregivers whose children have experienced internet harm. As of August 4th, the community is open to any parent whose child has been harmed by social media in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.
What is The Parents’ Network?
The Parents’ Network is a global community for parents and caregivers who have been impacted by online harm, offering a safe space for connection, healing, and advocacy.
Parents and caregivers in the community share a variety of hopes and challenges. Some have lost a child or experienced near fatal harm and are seeking ways to channel pain into purpose. Others want to help their children thrive and benefit from time online, while also staying safe. They come to TPN to learn more about how their child or loved one might be at risk. All are seeking safe, supportive environments where parents and caregivers can talk openly about their experiences and concerns, while building meaningful relationships with others who understand.
Whether seeking support after tragedy or seeking guidance on navigating the online world safely, TNP offers a space for parents to connect, learn, and advocate for a better online world where no child is lost to social media.
Currently, platforms and online spaces put children at risk. According to a study on adolescents’ exposure to online risks, 60% of US 8th and 9th graders (13–16-year-olds) have encountered harmful situations on social media. Without safety standards in place, platforms are serving children inappropriate and dangerous content, leaving the door wide open for abuse, cyberbullying and the spread of harmful material. Parents alone cannot fully protect their children from risks due to the inherently dangerous design of these products. According to the Surgeon General’s Advisory Report, nearly 40% of children ages 8–12 are on social media despite the legal age requirement being 13.
The Archewell Foundation and The Parents’ Network work to unite and uplift parents and caregivers, and to systematically change the social media platforms and devices that create a harmful environment for young people around the world.
The #NoChildLostToSocialMedia campaign amplifies their stories and collective efforts, calling for social media to prioritize safety, so that online platforms can better serve as spaces where young people can communicate, thrive, and learn.
The Parents’ Network is committed to fighting for change until social media companies make their platforms safer by design, because one child lost is already too many.
What is CARS’ Role?
CARS is proud to play a key role in this vital work as the programming and facilitation anchor. Led by Leora Ya’Acova Wolf-Prusan, Ed.D. and many of our skilled team members, we’re supporting parents and caregivers with trauma-informed and grief-sensitive programming that
- Facilitates parent peer support: Connecting parents and caregivers with others who understand their experiences.
- Shares resources: Providing access to essential information and tools for recovery and healing.
- Fosters leadership: Supporting parents and caregivers to become advocates for themselves and others.
At CARS, creating connections is at the heart of everything we do. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering collaboration across communities, sectors, and fields to advance practices that are trauma-informed, evidence-based, and healing-centered. The Parents’ Network’s impactful programming is a testament to our team’s expertise in building connected learning spaces, often for individuals and communities holding immense pain. We are deeply honored to play such a vital role in this work.
Interested in learning more about how CARS can support your programming and initiatives? Explore our services.
To learn more about TPN:
Visit The Parents’ Network website
archewell.org/theparentsnetwork/
See TPN and CARS featured on the CBS Morning Show
cbsn.ws/3LXFMEE
Explore partner resources to support yourself and your child
archewell.org/theparentsnetwork/resources
The Parents’ Network is open to any parent or caregiver whose child has experienced internet harm.
We encourage you to learn more about this valuable resource and share it with your communities. If you are a parent or caregiver who has been directly affected by social media harms, please contact The Parents’ Network to find out about the support available to you.
Find Support
archewell.org/theparentsnetwork/get-support