Prince George’s New Life at Eton Involves a Strict Smartphone Ban Welcomed by Prince William and Kate Middleton
Prince George has officially embarked on his boarding school journey at the prestigious Eton College, following in the footsteps of his father, Prince William. However, as the 13-year-old future monarch adapts to secondary school life in Berkshire, one ubiquitous teenage staple will be noticeably absent: the smartphone.
Under Eton College’s strict mobile policy introduced to safeguard pupil wellbeing and classroom focus, incoming students are prohibited from possessing internet-enabled smartphones. Instead, boys are restricted to offline, basic “brick” phones permitted solely for essential phone calls and text messages.
The measure aligns seamlessly with the parenting philosophy of the Prince and Princess of Wales, both of whom have voiced concerns regarding the psychological impact of digital screens on young minds. William previously noted that while basic communication devices are acceptable, unfiltered internet access poses substantial hazards for developing children.
Melanie Sanderson, managing editor at The Good Schools Guide, told PEOPLE:
“The phone decision was very much welcomed by parents, and the boys are so busy, they don’t have time to be sat on their beds, scrolling TikTok.”
For new arrivals known within the school’s heritage as “F Blockers,” daily life involves a comprehensive induction program designed to build camaraderie within their respective boarding houses. Alongside academic rigor and team sports, George is mastering Eton’s distinctive institutional vocabulary, where academic terms are called “halves,” lessons are titled “divs,” and triangular grade reports are referred to as “threepenny bits.”
Sanderson noted that boarding school marks an emotional milestone for the royal parents as well: “It’s not a drop-off, it’s a handover — and that’s a massive transition for parents… putting your precious young person in the care of another adult.” While adjusting to George’s absence at home, William and Kate continue to balance their public royal duties with supporting their eldest son’s path toward independence.