Prince William today spoke of his fears for his children in a speech in which he acknowledged the downside of the Internet in terms of cyberbullying and trolling.

Speaking at the London 2016 Founders Forum, a conference and networking event for leading digital and technological entrepreneurs from the UK and around the world, the father-of-two said that one of the most crucial challenges facing the digital industry is how to protect children online, something that he, as a father, feels strongly about.

'As Catherine and I started our family a few years ago, I was alarmed about the increasing reports of online bullying that were making headlines around the world,' he said.

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The Duke of Cambridge addresses the London 2016 Founders Forum in Watford, where he spoke of his fears for his young children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, growing up in a society where cyberbullying is so prevalent

'From the girls developing eating disorders after being subjected to a campaign of abuse on social media, to the teenage boys who took their own lives following constant targeting – as a parent myself, I was appalled.

'What we were seeing was that social media and messaging had transformed bullying from something that was not only the torment of the classroom and playground, but something that followed you home as well – to the one safe haven that children should have.'

He praised the technology industry for its efforts to combat online bullying - although he singled out Apple as a company that has not yet got on board with his anti-cyberbullying task force.

He added: 'We have a lot of work ahead of us, but by this time next year we expect to have a plan in place to achieve fundamental improvements in online safety for bullied children.

'To school-age children today, there is no difference between their online and offline lives. Bullying is bullying, wherever it happens. '

'As Catherine and I started our family a few years ago, I was alarmed about the increasing reports of online bullying that were making headlines around the world,' he said

Speaking, at the London 2016 Founders Form, the father-of-two said that one of the most crucial challenges facing the digital industry is how to protect children online, something that he, as a father, feels strongly about

He added: 'We have a lot of work ahead of us, but by this time next year we expect to have a plan in place to achieve fundamental improvements in online safety for bullied children'

The father-of-two did, however, admit he firmly believes that technology was very much a force for good.

He said: 'I must admit, like most people my age, I'd struggle without my smart phone – for news, sports, music and the odd bit of gaming. And technology is a big part of my working life, too. As an air ambulance pilot, I love the fact that the helicopter I fly is fitted out with some of the life-saving medical equipment; and I consider social media to be central to how the Royal Family communicates in the 21st century.

'A lot is said publically about the challenges that new technologies – particularly the Internet – can create for people, in terms of the spread of extremism, invasions into our privacy, and the security of our data.

'Social media has also been the subject of scrutiny, for the way in which it can create a platform for trolling and other vicious behaviour.

'But while new technology can of course create new problems, it is my belief that innovation in technology is a force for good, and that these advancements can do a lot more good than the harm that is often talked about. '

The Duke of Cambridge sits in snowstorm, a human carrying drone, at the London 2016 Founders Forum

The invention, which is powered by lithium ion batteries and is solar powered, moves at running speed but can go up to 100 metres in the air

William was fascinated by he device and said: 'I could sit here and play all day with this. I can't get my head around this, this is unreal'

William inspected the £25,000 flying machine made by the student project Snowstorm

The Duke of Cambridge also tried on some 3D virtual reality glasses at the London 2016 Founders Forum

The prince also came face to face with the most humanoid robot ever created today and even got it to dance.

Unfortunately the robot got a little over excited and fell backwards with a thump, prompting William to collapse in a fit of laughter.

'You've got to work on his dance moves a little bit,' the prince said.

Browsing a selection of the stands, the second in line to the throne's eye was caught by Nao, a robot which is already being used as a teaching device in schools.

He speaks 19 languages, as well as sign language, has lenses in its eyes that can distinguish colour and can even independently complement you on the colour shirt you are wearing that day.

'This is the most advanced humanoid robot ever created and has been made for human interaction.' Said Michaek Mendenhall, chief marketing officer of San Jose-based company Flex, which designs and builds them.

Nao, which sorts around £3,000, has been found to be particularly useful when teaching suffering from autism and similar conditions who have been shown to react well to the robot.

When the robot started dancing to Daft Punk's Get Lucky, the prince laughed: 'Good choice of song. He's got good taste' before Nao fell over and had to be righted - although normally the created can do that himself thanks to a gyroscope inside him.

It is particularly useful for pilots, such as William, who when approaching the scene of an incident from the air can bring to life what it looks like on the ground

The Duke of Cambridge watches Nao the robot dance

When the robot started dancing to Daft Punk's Get Lucky, the prince laughed: 'Good choice of song. He's got good taste'

William was also fascinated by 'augmented reality' - or AR - glasses which enable wearers to add information and imagery to your environment. It is particularly useful for pilots, such as William, who when approaching the scene of an incident from the air can bring to life what it looks like on the ground.

'This is just amazing, just incredible,' William marvelled.

He also couldn't resist going off his schedule to sit in a human-sized drone which, it is hoped, will one day be used commercially for people to fly in.

The invention, which is powered by lithium ion batteries and is solar powered, moves at running speed but can go up to 100 metres in the air.

William was fascinated by he device and said: 'I could sit here and play all day with this.'

'I can't get my head around this, this is unreal.'