Prince George Faces Stricter Screen Rules as He Settles Into Life at Eton

Prince George has only been at Eton College for a few weeks, but the 13-year-old is already getting to grips with the traditions, expectations and rules of one of Britain’s best-known boarding schools.

Prince William and Princess Kate accompanied their eldest son when he arrived at Eton on 8 September. Since then, George has been settling into his new surroundings, meeting classmates and adapting to life at the prestigious all-boys school.

Among the rules he and his fellow pupils must follow is a new policy introduced this year that places tighter restrictions on how students use their school-issued iPads.

A school where punctuality matters

Eton has a reputation for demanding high standards, and punctuality is one of them.

Students who arrive late for lessons or chapel can be required to get up early and sign their names in a “tardy book” maintained by administrative staff.

Academic work is subject to its own distinctive system. At Eton, teachers are traditionally known as “beaks”. If a teacher considers a pupil’s work unsatisfactory, they can tear the top of the page off.

These are known as “rips”. A pupil who receives too many can be given a formal progress report called a “white ticket”. The report records their academic performance each day and can ultimately lead to a meeting with the Headmaster.

For George, however, one of the most noticeable changes this year concerns technology.

Eton tightens its iPad rules

Parents have raised concerns about the amount of time pupils could spend online, including the possibility of children developing an unhealthy dependence on screens.

Eton introduced iPads for educational purposes in 2019, and every first-year boy receives one when he joins the school.

The devices have since become an important part of schoolwork, but concerns emerged over how pupils were using them. In 2024, parents complained that some boys were using their iPads to play games and access the internet during lessons or when they were supposed to be completing homework.

More than 100 parents subsequently signed a joint letter in December 2024 expressing concerns about the school’s approach to devices and internet access. The letter was sent to Sir Nicholas Coleridge, the provost, and members of the school’s leadership team.

The school responded with tighter restrictions for pupils starting in the 2026-27 academic year.

In the summer, deputy head Mike Grenier wrote to parents of incoming first-year pupils explaining the updated policy.

According to the Telegraph, pupils will continue to receive school iPads for academic purposes, but the devices will connect only to a dedicated network known as Eton-Learning.

From October, boys will also be permitted to use a “specially designed safe browser” that gives them access only to websites included on a “white list” approved by their teachers.

The restrictions also apply outside lesson time.

First-year pupils are still prohibited from keeping their devices overnight. Under the new arrangements, they must hand them in 30 minutes earlier on Saturday evenings.

Boys who began at Eton in the 2024-25 academic year could keep their devices until 9.30pm on Saturdays and 9pm on other nights. The latest policy introduces a uniform 9pm deadline, with pupils able to collect their devices again at 7am the following morning.

A policy that fits with William and Kate’s approach

The tighter controls at Eton are likely to be consistent with the approach Prince William and Princess Kate have taken toward technology at home.

The couple have previously said that they limit their children’s screen time and that George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis do not have mobile phones.

William confirmed the family’s strict approach while appearing with actor Eugene Levy on Apple TV+’s The Reluctant Traveler.

“None of our children have any phones, which we’re very strict about,” he said.

Kate has also spoken publicly about the effect of digital devices on family relationships.

In an essay titled The Power of Human Connection in a Distracted World, written in collaboration with Prof Robert Waldinger of Harvard Medical School, the Princess discussed the way smartphones and other devices can interfere with personal interaction.

“While digital devices promise to keep us connected, they frequently do the opposite,” Kate wrote.

She also described how checking phones during conversations, using social media at family meals or answering emails while spending time with children can take attention away from meaningful human connection.

William has acknowledged that adults can struggle with the same issue.

During a visit to OnSide Youth Zone in Hammersmith and Fulham, he spoke to a youngster who admitted to spending a lot of time scrolling on his phone. William responded that adults were guilty of the same behaviour and needed to do better themselves.

George and his siblings have plenty to keep them busy

William has previously described the family’s efforts to balance technology with outdoor activities, sport and other interests.

During a visit to BAFTA’s headquarters in London in 2022, he spoke about trying to manage his children’s gaming and screen time.

“At the moment it’s trying to regulate the gaming…monitoring screen time. Got to be careful of that. They’re fascinated by it. George particularly. He’s more interested in it. The other two are a bit too small at the moment but they love the films. I adore film and gaming as well.”

Sport is an important part of family life for the Wales children.

William has said that Louis is particularly enthusiastic about trampolining, while Charlotte takes part in netball and ballet. George, meanwhile, enjoys football and hockey.

Speaking about the children’s activities, William said:

“Louis loves the trampoline, so he’s obsessed with trampolining and actually Charlotte does a lot as well. As far as I can tell they just end up jumping up and down on the trampoline, beating each other up, most of the time. Apparently, there is an art to it.

“Charlotte does her netball as well and her ballet and so keeping them busy with sports and being outdoors is really important… George loves his football and his hockey.”

For William and Kate, limiting screen time does not mean the children never use digital devices.

There are occasions when they allow some screen time, including while travelling.

Kate and the children were spotted using an iPad on a flight

In summer 2022, Kate was seen travelling to Scotland on a commercial flight with Princess Charlotte, who was seven at the time, and Prince Louis, accompanied by their nanny and security.

A TikTok user who was on the same flight shared details of the encounter, saying that Kate even got up during the journey to retrieve Charlotte’s iPad.

The account also noted that Kate was travelling in economy rather than using a private jet or helicopter.

The sighting offered a glimpse of the more ordinary side of family travel, while also illustrating that the Wales children’s access to screens has not been completely eliminated.

For Prince George, the approach at Eton will now be considerably more structured. His school-issued iPad is intended primarily for academic work, with internet access increasingly controlled by the school as he begins his first year at the prestigious college.