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We simply said "no" to social media and also led by example by not using social media[1]. Also talked about social media perils occasionally and shared articles from HN regarding.

1: I don't consider HN social media for the purpose of this discussion. I do use Facebook very occasionally for marketplace and groups that only exist in FB (utility only).

You can give them phones without giving them full permissions to any app/website. Apple and Google have pretty good parental controls, where you can decide which apps/websites are allowed, screen time for specific apps etc.

I know, but peer pressure I expect will persist. My youngest son is already frustrated he can’t watch YouTube because all his friends can, and he’s 7. I guess it’s more about tips on how to talk to them about it.

Give him an absolutely crap phone (maybe like a Light Phone II). If he wants a better one he can get a job and buy it himself, which will take some amount of time and at minimum he'll learn something.