Left To Their Own Devices
Toronto Star
We gave children the most powerful tools in human history. Then, we left them to their own devices.
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
11 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 30min
Left to Our Own Devices
Julie Inman-Grant, Australia's eSafety Commissioner, discusses groundbreaking legislation to ban social media for kids, while Maddie Freeman shares her grassroots initiative, No-So November—a detox movement born from tragedy. Harrison Haynes provides a powerful personal story of recovery from online victimization, emphasizing the importance of real-life community and accountability. They delve into the effectiveness of youth-led solutions in countering online challenges, the complexities of digital regulations, and how individuals are reclaiming their time away from screens.
9 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 36min
The Worst Sex Ed Class Ever
Harrison Haynes, a young adult overcoming a troubled past of intense gaming, online grooming, and compulsive pornography use, shares his gripping journey of recovery. Susie Dunn, a law and technology expert, provides insights into how predators exploit children in online spaces. They discuss staggering statistics on youth exposure to pornography and its alarming links to rising teenage violence. The conversation highlights the importance of open discussions about porn and the need for comprehensive media literacy to protect the next generation.
9 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 25min
Under the Influence
In this conversation, teen influencer Sophie Fergi shares her journey from childhood vlogs to a massive following, revealing the pressures of online fame and the toll it can take on mental health. Journalist Taylor Lorenz provides insights into the evolution of the influencer industry, discussing its roots and the democratization of fame. Together, they explore the dual nature of social media: empowering yet harmful, and how young people's desire for security often leads them to commodify their lives. It's a deep dive into the complexities of growing up online!
13 snips
Oct 31, 2025 • 37min
See You in Court
In this engaging discussion, Raul Torrez, New Mexico's Attorney General, sheds light on his groundbreaking lawsuit against Meta for enabling predators on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Duncan Embury, representing 23 Ontario school boards, shares alarming insights into how social media disrupts education and targets students during school hours. Laura Marquez Garrett, advocate for over 4,000 young people, reveals disturbing patterns of addiction and predation linked to social media design, making a powerful case for accountability in Big Tech.
10 snips
Oct 24, 2025 • 36min
Yahoo Boys
Paul Raffile, a cyber investigations analyst, teams up with Derek and Jill Lentz, grieving parents advocating for tech accountability after their son fell victim to a sextortion scam. They explore the terrifying rise of sextortion cases targeting teens, which have skyrocketed by 18,000%. Raffile shares insights on how scammers operate, including their methods of grooming and exploitation. The Lentz family's heartbreaking story sheds light on the urgent need for platform reform, as they remember their son while calling for greater child safety online.
9 snips
Oct 17, 2025 • 29min
Blackmailed
Carol Todd, founder of the Amanda Todd Legacy Society, joins to discuss the harrowing impact of online exploitation on teens. She shares her experiences with her daughter Amanda and connects with Sarah, a young victim of online blackmail. Their conversation reveals the sinister nature of grooming, the devastating effects of sextortion, and the urgent need for change in digital safety measures. Together, they advocate for protection against the growing threats young people face online today.
13 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 31min
Brain Rot
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.
14 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 29min
Big Tech's Origin Story
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.
9 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 32min
A Tale of Two Algorithms
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.
12 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 34min
Internet Addicts Anonymous
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.
