Thread is talking about kids knowing how to request emergency services with a nearby phone in case something happens to their parent(s). Nothing to do with giving kids their own phones.

A nearby phone implies a nearby phone user that would presumably understand how to place an emergency call, especially if they are being asked by a frantic five year old.

if it’s only the kid and the nearby phone user, and the nearby phone user is having an emergency (that’s also preventing them from being able to call themselves) then the kid is able to do it.