In a revealing discussion at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit 2025, Meghan Markle opened up about her complex relationship with social media.
During her conversation with Alyson Shontell, Editor-in-Chief at Fortune, she clarified the motivations behind disabling comments on her posts.
While acknowledging the platform’s potential for brand growth, Meghan emphasized her desire to shield herself and her supportive followers from the negativity that often permeates online interactions.
Meghan stated, “There are certain steps I’ve taken for my own mental well-being, which also extend to protecting my brand and its supporters.” She expressed that while she is aware of critics, it’s the overwhelming support from her fans that she values most and wishes to nurture.
By turning off comments, she hopes to create an environment free from the harsh judgments often found in social media interactions.
The Duchess also brought forward an interesting dilemma: how to foster a sense of community without the conventional back-and-forth that comments allow.
This presented an opportunity for her and her social media manager to innovate and engage creatively without inviting negativity.
Meghan shared her manager’s advice about using user-generated content in new ways, allowing her to respond personally while maintaining an authentic connection with her audience.
She explained her strategy by saying, “I’ll write handwritten notes to users who share content related to me.” Meghan finds joy in this unique approach, much like sending a quick message to a friend.
She believes that such small yet meaningful interactions can show her audience that she is listening to their feedback, even without a comment section.
On October 14, Meghan appeared at the summit in Washington, DC, where she discussed her brand, As Ever, launched earlier this year.
Notably, the event also featured other influential figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris and singer Selena Gomez, highlighting Meghan’s significant presence among powerful women.
Previously, upon her return to Instagram on New Year’s Day, Meghan disabled comments on her posts – a decision that has sparked much conversation.
Despite the buzz around her arrival, she realized the need for protective measures, especially given her past experience as a frequent target of online trolling.
Meghan has revealed that she faced intense online criticism, often being labeled as “the most trolled woman in the world.”
In an earlier podcast, she reflected on the damaging effects that untrue statements can have on individuals, regardless of their age.
Her emotional journey has underscored the trauma inflicted by such negativity, which ultimately drove her to create boundaries within her social media frameworks.
Furthermore, her Netflix series, “Harry & Meghan,” documented some of the pain that comes from online hatred, revealing the heart-wrenching threats she received.
These threats served as grim reminders of the darker side of social media, forcing Meghan to prioritize her mental health and safety.
In 2021, reports surfaced detailing a coordinated campaign of harassment directed at Meghan and Prince Harry, raising alarm over the scale and nature of hate speech they endured.
This despicable behavior highlights a broader issue within social media, where a small number of accounts can perpetuate a cycle of hate that reaches millions.
During the summit, Meghan discussed the pressing need for change in the digital landscape.
She argued that conversations around content should shift positively, while recognizing the profound impact that platforms have on public discourse and personal interactions.
“It’s crucial to foster kindness amidst the cruelty that often dominates online spaces,” she asserted.
From her renewed presence on Instagram, Meghan has expressed a focus on positivity in this new phase of her life, which she refers to as her “chapter of joy.” Even though she won’t be allowing comments, she relishes the chance to celebrate her projects and communicate with her audience on her terms.
As Meghan embarks on this fresh journey, it’s evident that taking control of her narrative—and the way she engages with her followers—is a deliberate effort to cultivate a more supportive and uplifting environment, free from the toxicity that social media can sometimes harbor.
By disabling comments, she’s made a powerful statement about prioritizing mental well-being in a world that often prioritizes sensationalism.