The Duchess of York has spoken out about the dangers young generations face due to social media’s harsh online environment, highlighting its impact on anxiety, depression, and wellbeing.
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has expressed her deep concerns regarding the impact of social media on future generations in a heartfelt statement aired through LBC. In her commentary, the 65-year-old mother of two reflected on her own struggles with social media, admitting that she once devoted considerable time and energy to trying to please everyone.
Ferguson articulated her worry about the potential dangers that young people face in the digital landscape. "I am increasingly concerned about what the next generation face in terms of commentary on social media,” she stated, highlighting that the issue extends beyond public figures to include young children who may become targets of cyberbullying and trolling.
While she acknowledged that social media can serve as "great platforms for communication," Ferguson described it as a "nightmare" at times. She bluntly characterised much of online discourse: "Let’s be honest, much of it is an absolute sewer. People say things to each other they wouldn’t dream of saying in the real world." The former wife of Prince Andrew expressed her sadness over the cruelty that permeates these interactions, noting the troubling effects this can have on individuals, particularly the youth.
Reflecting on her own experiences in the public eye since the 1980s, Ferguson recounted "intense and sometimes cruel scrutiny" from the media. In this context, she remarked that the subject is far from trivial. She pointed to increasing levels of anxiety and depression among young people, with excessive social media use linked to heightened stress, sleep issues, and even self-harm.
Ferguson's statements come amidst ongoing discussions about the role of social media in shaping public discourse and its effects on mental health, further underscoring the need for awareness and perhaps intervention regarding its impact on young users.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative references recent ongoing discussions on social media's effects and features current commentary from the Duchess. No outdated roles, deceased figures, or recycled wording from older press releases were detected.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Direct quotes attributed to Sarah Ferguson are present and aligned with her public persona. No earlier references were found for these exact statements, suggesting some original phrasing. However, the narrative lacks a direct link to a verified broadcast or transcript, which limits traceability.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Express.co.uk, a mainstream UK news outlet. While it is a widely read publication, it is not considered as authoritative as outlets like the BBC or Reuters.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims are highly plausible, mirroring widely reported concerns about social media's impact on mental health, particularly among young people. Recent studies and public figures have corroborated similar issues.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The claims are plausible and supported by recent public discourse. The use of direct quotes and a mainstream news platform lends credibility, though the absence of a direct link to the original broadcast slightly reduces confidence. No evidence of recycled or dated material was found.
