The ongoing debate about when children should get their first mobile phone has reached royal proportions, with Prince William revealing his 12-year-old son Prince George is actively pushing back against the family's smartphone ban.
The Royal Stand on Smartphones
During a recent talk with broadcaster Luciano Huck in Brazil, the Prince of Wales confirmed that none of his children currently have mobile phones. He did suggest a potential compromise, stating that when George moves to secondary school, he might receive a basic phone without internet access.
"It's becoming a little bit of a tense issue," William admitted during the November 2025 discussion. "But I think he understands why. We communicate why we don't think it's right. And again, I think it's the internet access I have a problem with."
Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter told Metro that the Princess of Wales has consistently opposed smartphones for their children, describing them as creating "an evangelical disconnection" that prevents families from communicating properly.
What UK Parents Are Saying
Metro readers have shared diverse perspectives on the appropriate age for children to receive mobile phones, reflecting the complexity of the decision facing modern parents.
Chris Mimmack emphasized that the type of phone matters more than the timing. "All they need is a basic phone, not an iPhone status symbol," he commented.
Christina Girgis highlighted the distinction between different technologies: "iPads and things earlier are fine, but a phone with phone plans and using it outside home where you can't supervise their use as easily is riskier."
Todd Garland plans to wait until his children turn 14, wanting them to "live an active lifestyle and also be confident with mixing with other children instead of hiding behind a screen."
Jade Lacey takes a stricter approach: "When they have a job and can afford the bill. My girls won't be given a phone until they can pay for it."
However, some parents recognize practical necessities. One mother explained: "When my children went off to secondary school, they didn't want me to walk them, so I got them a phone in case they got into difficulties. I wish I could have left it a bit longer, but there are no phone boxes that work anymore."
Growing Movements and Alternatives
The parenting dilemma has spawned organized campaigns and new technological solutions. Smartphone Free Childhood, a movement of families standing together to delay phones and social media, has launched a 'Parent Pact' encouraging families to commit to delaying smartphones until age 14 and social media until 16.
Co-founder Daisy Greenwell told Metro: "Whether you're a prince or a parent at the school gates, managing smartphones is one of the hardest parts of raising kids today. That's why 350,000 parents have joined this grassroots movement since it launched less than two years ago."
Meanwhile, Mumsnet has collaborated with Nothing and SafetyMode to launch The Other Phone, a safety-first smartphone designed specifically for children. The device features parental control of apps, software that filters harmful content, and remote management capabilities.
Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts explained: "Parents are hugely worried about the effect of smartphones and social media on their children. They feel trapped between wanting their kids to stay connected and become digitally literate, and knowing that most devices on the market are designed with profit, rather than child safety, in mind."
As Prince William and Catherine continue to hold the line against smartphones for their children, they join thousands of UK parents grappling with the same challenging decision in an increasingly digital world.
