I ended up getting my daughter a phone this week.  I wanted to wait another year or 2.  All the other kids her age had phones last year.  She moved up to the middle school this year and with the way we have to shuffle around to get her where she needs to be after school and such we needed a way we could get ahold of her, or she could contact us if something changes.  Ended up getting her a new Samsung only because it was dirt cheap when we added a new line to out plan.  I set it up as my child's phone through Google with a child account linked to mine and I can set many limits on it such as what's downloaded, when she can use it etc.  I can shut it off and I can locate it from my phone.  It also blocks inappropriate content.   I can also check all her texts and emails and such.  Once she hits a certain age the account and email is turned into hers so she can just go on from there.