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At 3 A.m., I Turned to AI for Comfort. That Was My First Mistake

The age of distraction has a cost: we’re forgetting how to be alone with ourselves

People have begun to rely on technological quick fixes to deal with every uncomfortable thought or feeling—the most prominent escape tool being social media (where the ability to scroll endlessly proves to be very successful in burying human discomfort). A 2019 study found that teenagers spending more than three hours per day on social media “may be at heightened risk for mental health problems,” including symptoms of depression and anxiety. The link between poor mental health and social media use is often traced to comparisons of body types and unattainable lifestyles, as people tend to showcase only the most desirable and curated aspects of their lives.

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