Why?

It's the phone of other kids, they will not give their phones away

It's not that - but it's being left out.

If all of them will use phones and chat via them, not having one will be social isolation.

We are planning an apple watch at first. Can do both of those.

Seems like fair compromise.

Truth be told I realise that this is a case where whatever you do, there will be consequences. I myself I don't really know how I'd approach that.

I didn't understand your comment. Why what?

Schools in my region are suddenly catching up the the top notch scientific publications warning people to stop parking babies in front of screens.

That’s giving me hope

I think you either home school or you give up and let things fall into place. One thing for sure is that although you don’t allow screen time you can’t expect that your kids aren’t going to be surrounded by kids taking about Mr Beast, Minecraft, etc. They are going to hear about it from friends and feel left out of conversations.

I mean, is that a big deal? When I was a kid, other kids watched shows that I didn't watch and had toys that I didn't have. So what? I think people exaggerate this idea of "being left out". We don't all have to be the same.

social isolation can be a hell of a thing, and in the world we have now where having a phone is the norm, it isnt just about having different toys, its about completely lacking a tool so deeplyintegratedintodaily life that others do have. i don't know what the solution is, but i do think that at least considering it is important

*IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER THAT I AM NOT A PARENT* i cannot judge others for how they raise their children as i do not and will almost certainly never have any of my own, however i can still discuss the topic and raise concerns even with the understanding that i may be missing things and i am willing to accept that may indeed be the case