We got our six year old daughter an Apple Watch with cell service. I think that’s allowed her a lot of freedom since she can walk to her friends house without crazy people calling CPS on us (totally happened before). She just met another girl with the same watch and now they are best friends.
Try it if you don't believe me. You can't even ride the bus without a phone because bus stops no longer display schedules and routes.
Want to go trampoline jumping? It's impossible without a phone because they want you to sign a waver in advance using your phone.
Pay Phones are no longer a thing. The "phone behind the counter" in restaurants and shops is no longer a thing.
Even grade school children are staring to have trouble navigating the world without a phone.