Summary
- Prince George, the eldest son of Prince William and Princess Kate, has reportedly been given a basic mobile phone without internet access after starting his studies at Eton College.
- He had also suggested that George might eventually receive a basic phone without internet access when he moved to secondary school.
- The Prince of Wales believes that allowing children to make calls and send messages is reasonable, but unrestricted internet access can expose them to content they are not ready to encounter.
The 13-year-old joined the prestigious boarding school in September 2026, where first-year students are not allowed to use smartphones. Instead, pupils are provided with traditional “brick phones” that allow them to make calls and send text messages to their parents outside school hours.
The school’s policy aims to maintain a balance between the benefits of technology and the challenges it can create in an educational environment. Restrictions on school-issued iPads have also reportedly been tightened following concerns from parents about students spending time gaming and browsing the internet.
Prince William and Princess Kate are said to support the restrictions, which align with their approach to managing their children’s use of digital devices.
William previously revealed that none of his children had mobile phones, explaining that he was particularly concerned about their exposure to inappropriate online content. He had also suggested that George might eventually receive a basic phone without internet access when he moved to secondary school.
The Prince of Wales believes that allowing children to make calls and send messages is reasonable, but unrestricted internet access can expose them to content they are not ready to encounter.
Royal commentators have also suggested that limiting George’s access to smartphones could protect him from excessive screen time, online criticism and potentially distressing opinions about the royal family.
The policy reflects growing concerns among parents and schools about children’s digital habits, with more educational institutions introducing restrictions on smartphone use to encourage a safer learning environment.
