My daughter didn't get a smartphone until she was older...but when she was 13 she and her best friend each wrote me a letter stating why they thought it was important for my daughter to have a cell phone (a basic phone with texting). What convinced me was how each said that after cross country practice my daughter could call for a ride, saving me time in just waiting for the practice to be finished. Plus, when they went out to a movie or whatever in a group, she could let me know she was okay or needed a ride home.