Prince William "worries" people spend too much time on their mobile phones
The Prince of Wales - who has children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, with wife Catherine, Princess of Wales - is concerned about the impact of using such devices so much has on mental health and thinks it is important to set a good example for children
28 March 2025
Speaking in Somerset, South West England, on Wednesday (26.03.25) as part of an event to raise awareness of mental health care for farmers, the Telegraph reports he said: "I worry about how much time we are on our phones and data. Most of us look at your phone first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
"We've got to get out of the habit because it is mentally not good for us, your brain isn't resting.
"We've got to be really careful with the practices we teach our children and the way we live. We've got to take time out for ourselves, calm down, have a clear think, [a] different perspective."
William - who previously launched a Duchy mental health strategy when he inherited the role of Duke of Cornwall after his father, King Charles, took the throne - has been an advocate for mental health services for several years but he admitted he still thinks there is more to be done.
He said: "I never realised what I'd stumbled into when I scratched the surface.
"The issue of mental health is fragile and not spoken about enough."
The prince explains he has a number of strategies in his "toolbox" to cope with mental health issues and stress.
Asked by 'Countryfile' presenter Vick Hope what he has in his mental health toolkit, he said: "My toolbox is quite big.
"If you imagine all of the tools you have in a farm, have a toolbox that is a mental toolbox and in there you have to have certain tools to deal with any problems that come along in life."
And William urged the group of farmers not to be afraid to ask for help.
He added: "If you don't have that tool, find someone who can provide you with that tool.
"Don't be afraid to ask for a bit of help.
"I know in the farming world you live, sleep, breathe, everything, but try to find a way to come away from it, otherwise you'll find yourself talking about the same thing that bothers you on a day-to-day basis. And it goes round in circles.
"Have time out, go do things that are fun, go and do something completely different and give the mind a chance to rest."
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