Eton is to ban new pupils from bringing smartphones to school and will give them a basic device instead.
The school has written to the families of all incoming pupils to inform them of the new policy, which will take effect in September.
The college joins other private and state schools in tightening rules around smartphones because of concern about their impact on mental health and behaviour.
Mike Grenier, Eton’s deputy head overseeing pastoral care, wrote in the letter to parents of new boarders that their child’s smartphone should be taken home after its SIM card is transferred to a school-issued Nokia handset that can only make calls and send texts.
At present Eton does not allow younger boys to have phones on them during