Coffee is one of the easiest plans to arrange because everyone already understands it. The challenge is being together without each person disappearing into a separate screen.
Try a visible, low-drama boundary: put phones face down in a tote or at the far end of the table for the first thirty minutes. Make exceptions for caregiving, access needs and urgent work. The goal is attention, not policing.
Bring one conversational object. It might be a book you want to lend, photographs from a recent trip, a journal question or a small sketch. Ask something that invites a story: What has felt surprisingly good lately? What ordinary place should we visit next? What did you love doing before you worried about being good at it?
Before leaving, make the next plan specific. Choose the day, not just the intention. A small recurring hour can support a friendship better than a grand plan that remains in the group chat.
Further reading: OECD: Children & Young People’s Mental Health in the Digital Age. External sources provide context and do not endorse Intent Over Gear.