Speaking as someone who didn’t get a phone until 16 or 17, I would say try to figure out what kids his age are using to communicate with each other and get him a device that allows him to participate in that. At the same time, try to educate yourself on what parental controls are available, and at least try to make an effort to educate them on computer and internet literacy, stuff like how to recognize and not engage with clickbait and to not overshare information where it can be seen by strangers.
My stance on fixing the debt has long been that the only answer is to invest in robust social programs. Such social programs pretty much always increase economic activity, which the government gets to collect taxes on every step of the way. Of course that only works if such investment exists and the government is willing to collect those taxes, neither of which seem to be the case anymore.