Prince William Limits Children‘s Access to Smartphones, Citing Online Safety Concerns
LONDON – Prince William has disclosed his and Catherine, princess of Wales’s, decision to postpone providing their children with smartphones, prioritizing their well-being and shielding them from the potential harms of unrestricted internet access. The revelation comes as concerns mount globally regarding the impact of screen time and online content on young people’s growth and mental health.
The Prince explained that currently, none of his children possess mobile phones. While acknowledging a potential shift when Prince George begins secondary school, any access would be heavily restricted. This approach reflects a growing parental awareness of the challenges posed by ubiquitous technology and a desire to foster genuine connection and healthy childhood experiences.Catherine, Princess of Wales, recently underscored these concerns in a personal essay detailing how screens can erode authentic relationships.
William emphasized that his primary worry isn’t the device itself,but rather the unfettered access to the internet it enables. “Man problema yra ne pats telefonas, o pilna interneto prieiga – vaikai gali pamatyti per daug dalykų, kurių jiems nereikia matyti internete,” he stated, translating to, “My problem is not the phone itself, but full internet access – children can see too many things thay don’t need to see on the internet.” He suggested a limited-function “old-fashioned” phone for messaging could be acceptable.
The Prince also shared insights into their approach to parenting more broadly, describing a commitment to providing an active and engaged childhood for their children. This includes involvement in school runs – shared with Catherine – and participation in extracurricular activities like sports days, games in the garden, and chauffeuring them to events.
“Kartais tai padeda jiems matyti platesnį vaizdą ir labiau nusiraminti, užuot galvojus: ką slepiate, ko aš nežinau, kodėl tai vyksta?” William observed, noting that open interaction and transparency are key to helping children navigate uncertainty. He acknowledged the ongoing challenge of determining “Kiek daug turėčiau pasakyti?” and “Kada turėčiau pasakyti?” – how much to share and when - recognizing there is “Nėra tėvystės gido” – no parenting guidebook – and that instinct plays a crucial role.
background: The Royal Family has increasingly used its platform to advocate for mental health awareness and early childhood development. Catherine, Princess of Wales, has championed initiatives focused on social-emotional learning and the importance of nurturing relationships. This latest disclosure aligns with those efforts, highlighting the need for mindful technology use in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
