Meghan Markle and Harry have spoken out in response to new UK government plans to change how children’s social media data is handled under the Crime and Policing Bill.
The couple shared a statement on their website supporting the proposed reforms, which are linked to the long-running Jools’ Law campaign. Alongside their reaction, they sent a message of solidarity to parents facing similar struggles.
The changes stem from the efforts of Ellen Roome, whose 14-year-old son Jools died in April 2022. After his death, Roome tried to access her son’s social media accounts to understand what he had been exposed to and who he had been interacting with. The platforms refused, citing data protection rules and terms of service.
Rather than accept that decision, Roome pushed for reform so that other parents would not face the same barriers. Her persistence has now led to a landmark legal shift.
The UK government has confirmed it will table amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill, making Jools’ Law a reality. Under the changes, children’s social media data will be automatically preserved following their death, and bereaved parents will be granted direct access without needing court orders or approval from tech companies.
The legislation is being described as the first of its kind globally, closing a gap that previously allowed crucial digital evidence to be withheld.
In their statement, Meghan Markle and Harry said they first met Ellen Roome in New York last year, where she shared Jools’ story with the same determination that ultimately helped change the law. They also noted that Jools is one of the faces featured in their Lost Screen Memorial, which highlights the real-world impact of online harm.
They added that Roome’s strength reflects what they have seen in many bereaved parents, whose grief often turns into advocacy. According to the couple, that collective determination has now resulted in meaningful legal change.
Meghan Markle and Harry also addressed parents currently facing similar circumstances, saying they should never have been put through such an experience and that change is possible. They concluded by emphasising that one parent’s refusal to give up has now helped thousands of families gain answers they were previously denied.
