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Artwork for Left To Their Own Devices

Left To Their Own Devices

Toronto Star
Social Media
Mental Health
Sextortion
Facebook
Eating Disorders
Instagram
Social Media Addiction
Frances Haugen
Nir Eyal
Roger Mcnamee
Yahoo Boys
Youth Mental Health
Depression
Anxiety
Cyberbullying
Gen Z
Kids Online Safety Act
Online Exploitation
Snapchat
Nigerian Cybercriminals

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 ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes11Founded2 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Left To Their Own Devices

Latest Episodes

On December 10, 2025, Australia will be the first country in the world to ban social media for kids. It's a radical step, and lawmakers around the world are taking notice. In the U.S., eight states have proposed similar legislation. In Canada, Quebec... more

The numbers are staggering. In the US, 71% of teenagers say they've watched porn in the last week. In Canada, 88% of boys have seen it by the age of fourteen. And in the UK, one in four kids have been exposed to pornography by the time they turn elev... more

When Ghyslain Raza – aka the "Star Wars Kid" – became the internet's first viral sensation, it nearly destroyed him. More than twenty years later, many young people today are desperate for that kind of fame – even if it means making their most embarr... more

In the absence of meaningful regulation, thousands of young people are now looking to the justice system to hold Big Tech accountable. In this episode, we go inside three landmark lawsuits that could finally force social media companies to answer for... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Susie Dunn
Director of the Law and Technology Institute at Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Episode: The Worst Sex Ed Class Ever
Caitlin Reguerre
Professor at University College London and author of the book Smartphone Nation
University College London
Episode: The Worst Sex Ed Class Ever
Sarah Flicker
Professor at York University who studies youth sexual health and well-being
York University
Episode: The Worst Sex Ed Class Ever
Harrison Haynes
Friend of the host with a significant personal story regarding technology and porn exposure
Episode: The Worst Sex Ed Class Ever
Paul Raffile
Cyber investigations analyst and expert in financial sextortion scams
Episode: Yahoo Boys
Robert Cribb
Veteran investigative reporter
Investigative Journalism Bureau
Episode: Yahoo Boys
Derrick Lintz
Father of Danny Lintz, victim of sextortion
Episode: Yahoo Boys
Jill Lintz
Mother of Danny Lintz, victim of sextortion
Episode: Yahoo Boys
Amanda Todd
A victim of online sextortion whose story gained worldwide attention
Episode: Blackmailed

Host

Ava Smithing
Host and producer focusing on the implications of social media on youth and personal narratives of recovery from online addiction. She shares her experiences and findings from research into young people's mental health in the digital age.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 149 ratings
  • Wow

    Thank you for talking about these scary subjects…the internet can be especially scary and dangerous for children and teens…adults and those in charge of policy need to hear this and take these online interactions seriously…thank you for educating people and please continue to be a voice for those who can’t speak or be heard.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ruffaroundtheedges
    United Statesa month ago
  • WOW !!! 5 ⭐️

    This podcast is the first time I have heard a young person addressing the problems facing young people. In an excellently produced podcast, Ava navigates important and sensitive conversations about the impact of technology and social media on my generation. The stories are captivating, inspiring, tragic, and encompass the complexities of a derisive topic. This podcast is so important to understanding technology as a consumer and how it has impacted the lives of people worldwide. Thank you Ava an... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    a.kov21
    United Statesa month ago
  • This Story is Important.

    Not only is this greatly researched but this is an important story to share. Something we all should be talking about. Thank you for this.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    334426754
    United Statesa month ago

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Brain Rot
Q: Why do you think the majority of social scientists actually working in this field disagree with you?
The disagreement lies in differing studies' approaches and results on the relationship between screen time and mental health.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Left To Their Own Devices

What is Left To Their Own Devices about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Episodes focus on the profound impact of technology, particularly social media, on the mental health and well-being of youth. Notable themes include discussions of addiction to digital devices, the evolution of social media platforms, and the psychological consequences that arise from online interactions. The narrative often incorporates personal stories and expert opinions, revealing both the dangers posed by these technologies and the resilience of young people navigating them. There is a stark emphasis on the urgent need for reforms in online practices to safeguard the mental health of the next generation, highlighting the complexities of technology's role in modern childhood and adolescence.

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How many subscribers and views does Left To Their Own Devices have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Left To Their Own Devices has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Left To Their Own Devices?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Left To Their Own Devices:

1. Incels
2. Curse of: America’s Next Top Model
3. Hell in Heaven: A Mysterious Death in Paradise
4. The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall
5. The Preventionist

How many episodes of Left To Their Own Devices are there?

Left To Their Own Devices launched 2 months ago and published 11 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Left To Their Own Devices?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Left To Their Own Devices?

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What guests have appeared on Left To Their Own Devices?

Recent guests on Left To Their Own Devices include:

1. Susie Dunn
2. Caitlin Reguerre
3. Sarah Flicker
4. Harrison Haynes
5. Paul Raffile
6. Robert Cribb
7. Derrick Lintz
8. Jill Lintz

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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