Not allowing a smartphone for year 7

[stuckinarutatwork]

Has anyone been brave enough to not allow their year 7 child to have a smartphone?
I'm considering my options for DD who will start year 7 in September. To date, she's not had any phone, but does have an iPod touch: I haven't allowed her to have social media apps though and I won't allow them until she's 13 or whatever their minimum age is). She's allowed to use iMessage with school friends / family.
I don't really see the necessity for a smartphone at age 11. They're not allowed to use them in school and she could have a basic phone for urgent calls / texts should she need to contact us during the day.
But equally, I'm aware that she may well be the only child without one at the negative social implication of this, so I'm interested to hear others' views and experiences.

I am very anti social media for kids.
They have a smart phone from year 7 but I have full parental control.
With social media the rule is they need to put forward a compelling case for needing it. Because everyone else does is not a good enough reason.

We've talked a lot about SM and internet etc prior to that.
They saw the issues WhatsApp caused in their primary school.

We made sure they understood that their phone number is privileged information and that anyone they give it to they should be able to trust not to pass it on.
We've discussed cyber bullying etc.

They have WhatsApp but have only a few friends on their and refuse to join the larger group ones.
No interest in insta, Facebook or tiktok.
They use YouTube.

I feel secure that we have discussed the negative side enough and that we have enough of a relationship that they will be honest about anything negative they see.

As with everything it's about teaching appropriate use. Pointing out the negative - a blanket ban isn't always the best policy.

Phones are downstairs at. iChat and they have a screen time cut off for 8pm week days. This is to allow them some wind down before bed. They come and chat with us or we play a game or watch a bit of tv or they just read.
They are 12 &14.

They have show my homework that they use via their phones.