Mine is in Y8 now, but it’s much the same. To start, she could SMS and make FaceTime calls only. No WhatsApp. We allowed WhatsApp only a few months into the year, but closely monitored. None of these add everyone you know group chats. Allowed group chats with close friends only. No social media - no Snapchat, no TikTok, none of that.
Browser has a time limit (I can’t remember now what it is, but she can’t just use it unlimited). Obviously any adult content is blocked and we also largely block YouTube. She can go on it sometimes, but not without permission.
Generally, not allowed it all the time. It gets handed to her as she goes out the door in the morning and goes on charge in the kitchen before shower time. She doesn’t usually have it after that, definitely not on a school night. On occasion, she may be able to have it in the evenings to talk to a friend, but goes in the kitchen at bedtime. I also take it away and make her go play outside. If she gets in trouble, I’m known to take it away for days or a week or more. We check it regularly including reading all messages, looking at browsing content. This is the same in Y8.
I think we’re pretty unusual though. All her friends seem to have Snapchat and TikTok and to be messaging at all hours. I’ve told her she can have social media when she turns 16. There is absolutely nothing good that can come from having it sooner.
I’d rather her be out in the world living life and I try to facilitate that and make the phone not so enticing. I think it’s worked. Her friends involve themselves in a lot of drama online that she seems to avoid. And she’ll happily go off camping and hiking all weekend with her phone at home and not really care. It only really is an issue when she’s with friends and everyone is on their phones and there is nothing to do.