I'm kind of with you on this one. 12yo is old enough to understand the rules (assuming they were clearly set) and if he/she was willingly communicating with a stranger, that phone should get the hammer with no replacement whatsoever. I've seen this done, it works.

> that phone should get the hammer with no replacement whatsoever.

Trying to scare children into following rules does not and will not end well.

> I've seen this done, it works.

You think it works because the child has realized that they will need to be better at hiding their actions in the future.

What I believe the author did was instead of teaching their child that they may not talk to strangers, they believed there just is a magic button to have these strangers not exist.

Kids make mistakes. You do not want predators to use the threat of your punishment as a lever on your kid.