Left To Their Own Devices

Ava engages with a panel of experts including Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Michael Rich, and Dr. Emma Duerden to explore the complex relationship between screens and youth mental health. They discuss Haidt's contentious thesis on smartphones and mental health, with some scientists challenging the idea of a direct link. Ava and Dr. Duerden conduct an eye-opening experiment measuring teen brain activity, revealing surprising insights about social media's impact, the importance of content quality over quantity, and the necessity of parental engagement in fostering healthy screen habits.

Frances Haugen, a former product manager at Facebook, reveals the platform's internal research that shows its detrimental impact on teens, particularly regarding misinformation and body image concerns. Nir Eyal, author of 'Hooked,' discusses the psychological techniques behind habit-forming technology and the concerns of keeping children safe from addictive designs. Together, they delve into how Facebook's profit-driven decisions often overshadow user well-being, with algorithms amplifying vulnerabilities and steering young users into harmful content.

Dr. Anna Lembke, a psychiatry professor at Stanford and author of Dopamine Nation, joins JT, a member of Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous, to discuss the growing issue of technology addiction. They explore how compulsive tech use can lead to severe consequences, from sleeplessness to destructed relationships. Lembke explains dopamine's role in addiction, while JT shares his recovery journey and the challenges of navigating a tech-dependent world. Their insights reveal the hidden struggles behind digital engagement and its impact on mental health.

CeCe Neltner, a young woman whose struggle with an eating disorder was exacerbated by harmful Instagram algorithms, shares her harrowing journey. In contrast, Keira MacDuff, a teen whose chronic illness went undiagnosed for years, credits TikTok with leading her to a life-changing diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Ethan Zuckerman, a communications professor, breaks down how recommendation algorithms impact users, highlighting their dual power to harm and heal, and emphasizes the need for greater transparency and responsibility from social media platforms.

We handed kids the most powerful technology in history. Then we walked away. This is what happened next. When she was 12 years old, Ava Smithing spiraled down a social media rabbit hole that nearly cost her life. A decade later, she discovered she wasn’t alone: Big Tech had rewritten childhood and adolescence for her entire generation. Armed with questions and a year to find answers, Ava embarked on a cross-continent investigation into a hidden digital world. She met teens in 12-step programs for social media addiction, young girls wrestling with compulsive porn use, and boys who had been blackmailed by international cybercriminals.  This isn’t a self-help guide to digital wellness. It’s a survival story from the front lines of 21st century childhood: where young people are re-writing the playbook for what it means to be human in a hyperconnected world. Subscribers to the Toronto Star will be able to access episodes early.