Blahah parent
The game is wonderful and I'm so glad it doesn't have chat! My 9yo niece and I played it through side by side and if it had chat or consistent remote player presence that wouldn't have been appropriate.
That's why I suggested other means of communication other than chat.
There's a poop symbol on the bottom right, click it to see ways to communicate.
I was surprised to learn the random messengers are other humans!
Absolutely - I love those. I wonder if there are any other simple web games like this that run on mobile with more nuanced interplayer comms as you suggest.