Prince William has disclosed that his eldest son might be permitted a mobile device with restrictions once he begins his secondary education.
Speaking during his visit to Brazil for the Cop30 climate summit, the Prince of Wales revealed that none of his three children currently possesses a phone.
“It is really hard. Our children don’t have phones,” William explained. “When George moves onto secondary school, maybe he’ll have one with limited access.”
The future king emphasised the importance of explaining their reasoning to George, noting concerns about children encountering inappropriate content online.
Prince William gives mobile phone update for Prince George as secondary school looms
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RYAN JENKINSON: KENSINGTON PALACE / GETTY
He suggested that whilst unrestricted internet access poses risks, controlled usage could prove beneficial for communication purposes.
William offered insights into the couple’s transparent communication with their children regarding the Princess of Wales’s cancer battle.
The royal couple chose to address the situation openly and honestly with George, Charlotte and Louis, acknowledging the challenges parents face when navigating difficult conversations.
Prince William admitted that numerous queries arose that lacked straightforward responses.
Lambrook School is where George, Charlotte and Louis attend
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PA“Many questions might come up without answers — I think all parents go through that. There’s no rulebook for being a parent, and we chose to talk about everything,” the Prince explained.
The approach reflects the couple’s commitment to honest dialogue with their children during challenging times.
The Prince detailed his active involvement in daily parenting responsibilities alongside Princess Kate. He participates in school transport duties, though he acknowledged his wife handles the majority of these trips.
“School run most days. I mean, Catherine and I share it, but she probably does the bulk of it,” William said.
Beyond educational commitments, the royal couple maintain a presence at their children’s activities. William described his role encompassing various duties from chauffeur services to attending athletic events and school occasions.
“Play dates, taxi driver, sports days, matches, playing in the garden when I can,” he listed, illustrating the couple’s commitment to maintaining normalcy in their children’s lives despite royal obligations.
The Prince’s stance on technology aligns with previous concerns expressed by the Princess of Wales regarding digital media’s effects on young people.
Kate has highlighted the risks associated with excessive screen exposure and social networking platforms’ influence on family wellbeing.
Prince William being interviewed about Earthshot in Brazil
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PA“With full access, children end up seeing things on the internet that they shouldn’t. But with restricted access, I think it’s good for messaging,” William explained.
During his Brazilian interview, William was shown a photograph of Princess Diana from her 1991 São Paulo visit, where she embraced a child with HIV.
The presenter noted Diana’s role in combating stigma surrounding the illness.
“I carry her social and humanitarian legacy with me every day,” William responded.