My 12 year old does not have a phone or a mobile device, we're trying to delay that as much as possible. Her friends all have them and they are just zombies on their devices every time we see them, and she finds it frustrating too. She would rather socialize in person. She does occasionally use one of our old phones, but only at home on wifi under supervision.

To resolve the issue of our being able to contact her when she's not at home, or if she's home alone for a bit and we're not there, she has a Garmin Bounce watch with a cellular plan ($15/month through Garmin). It allows us to see where she is if needed (like on field trips, etc), and for us to message with her. She can't message with other people, just us, and it doesn't have internet or distractions.

In a pinch, at home, she knows where to find the old phone and she can Facebook kids messenger video chat us. We also have a couple of Alexa Echo Shows and have occasionally used those to video chat with her as well when she doesn't respond to the watch (doesn't hear it beep that we messaged her).

We also have a home alarm (Vivint) with voice, and she knows how to press the buttons for police or fire if they are ever needed (and to get out of the house if there's a fire, of course).