Prince Harry has described social media as "more addictive than drugs and alcohol" as he hit out at the impact it is having on children and young people.

The Duke of Sussex made the comment as he was visiting a YMCA centre in West London to focus on the stigma that still exists around mental health.

He was taking part in a round table discussion with charities and organisations that are used to dealing with people in crisis.

But he got particularly passionate when they started discussing social media.

Speaking off the cuff, Harry said: "Growing up in today's world, social media is more addictive than drugs and alcohol.


"Yet it's more dangerous because it's normalised and there are no restrictions to it. We are in a mind-altering time."

But, he added: "We are in an exciting time because everybody in this room has an opportunity to actually make a real difference so that young people coming through are less connected to their phones."

Image: Harry described social media as 'mind-altering' during the visit to a YMCA

His comments came just a day after a new Instagram account was launched for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

@sussexroyal broke records, gaining one million Instagram followers in just five hours and 45 minutes, the fastest time any account has gained that number of followers.

Social media accounts have become an integral part of the royal family's media strategy.

Last month they released a set of guidelines for their accounts to "help create a safe environment on all social media channels."

Speaking at yesterday's event, the Duke of Sussex also took a swipe at the online game Fortnite, saying: "In the interests of prevention there are things that are happening at the top that together all of us are slowly putting the pressure on.

"A game like Fortnite for instance may not be so good for children. Parents have got their hands up - they don't know what to do about it.

"It's like waiting for the damage to be done and kids turning up on your doorsteps and families being broken."

Clearly acknowledging that media were in the room and listening to what he was saying, he went on to add: "That game shouldn't be allowed.

"Where is the benefit having that game your household? It's created to addict, an addiction to keep you in front of a computer for as long as possible. It's so irresponsible."

His brother Prince William has also tried to address issues around cyber bullying, by convening a task force of tech firms.

But last November he openly criticised social media and technology firms for not acknowledging the part they play in creating certain social problems.

In a speech he said, "Their self-image is so grounded in their positive power for good that they seem unable to engage in constructive discussion about the social problems they are creating."

He described them as being "on the back foot" when dealing with fake news, privacy issues and cyber-bullying.