Today’s technology has redefined childhood and adolescence. We gave children the most powerful tools in human history. Then, we left them to their own devices.
In a live virtual conversation on Thursday, January 22 editor Ceri Marsh joined Ava Smithing, host of the Star’s acclaimed podcast Left to Their Own Devices, and Dr. Michele Locke, psychologist and co-founder of the Toronto chapter of Unplugged Canada, to discuss kids and tech.
They discussed how devices influence children’s relationships, development and mental health; actionable, family-friendly strategies to navigate screen time; and ways to encourage healthy digital habits and foster meaningful offline connections.
Watch the recording of their conversation below.
The podcast Left to Their Own Devices examines how Big Tech has rewritten childhood for an entire generation. Find all the episodes on the Star, or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.
This live conversation was the latest virtual event from the Star. Here’s how to watch past events:
- In January, reporter Moira Welsh was joined by experts on living well into your later years in How to Live to 100 (or Die Trying). (That’s also the name of Welsh’s new podcast.)
- David Chilton, personal finance expert and author of the bestselling book The Wealthy Barber, joined Lora Grady to talk about how to build wealth in 2026. Lora also write’s the Star’s weekly newsletter Smart Money.
