Princess Kate and Prince William are "worried behind the scenes" about Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, according to a former royal aide.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are grappling with a challenge familiar to many modern parents: raising children in an increasingly digital world.
The royal couple have repeatedly expressed their concerns about the impact of tablets, mobile phones and social media on young people.
As parents to three children, William and Kate face the delicate balance of managing screen time and online safety within their household.
Prince Louis, Prince George and Princess Charlotte have made Kate and William 'worried behind the scenes'
Getty
Their worries reflect a broader struggle among parents navigating the complexities of childhood in the digital age, with the added dimension of their unique position as members of the Royal Family.
Former royal aide Jason Knauf has offered insights into the royal couple's parenting challenges during an appearance on 60 Minutes Australia.
Knauf revealed how William's own experiences shaped his approach to parenting. "His childhood in front of the media was quite difficult at times," he said.
The former aide explained that William was particularly conscious of raising children in the social media era. "He knew that he was going to be raising his kids to deal with social media and mobile phones and all of that stuff."
Former royal aide Jason Knauf appeared on 60 Minutes Australia to discuss Prince William's future role as monarch60 Minutes"I definitely saw the worried mum and dad behind the scenes, but a lot less in recent years, which has been fantastic for them as a family," Knauf added.
During a visit to the BBC in 2018, Prince William voiced his concerns about children's access to technology.
"I saw that my friends and peers were worried about the risks of the very powerful tools we were putting in our children's hands," the Prince of Wales said.
He highlighted how technology had impacted family life: "For too many families, phones and social media shattered the sanctity and protection of the home."
Kate pictured using her mobile phone in 2021 at Wimbledon
Getty
The Prince acknowledged the uncertainty many parents face. "Should we read our children's messages? Should we allow them to have phones and tablets in their rooms? Who do we report bullying to?" he questioned.
"We were making up the rules as we went along," William admitted.
William's commitment to online safety led him to establish the Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyberbullying.
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Adelaide Cottage is located near Lambrook School, where George, Charlotte and Louis attendPADuring his BBC visit, he made a direct appeal to tech companies to protect young users. "Surely you can partner with parents to make the online world a safe place of discovery, friendship, and education for their children," he urged.
The Prince emphasised that child safety and business success weren't mutually exclusive. "You can work in the interest of the children and parents who use your products and still make your shareholders happy."
Speaking later on Channel 5 News, William revealed his own family's struggles: "We still haven't worked out what the right balance is for online time. We're going to have that discussion with our family, how on earth are we going to police and have family time when the phones are all put down and you're offline?"
