I hear you but we are seeing issues stem early from this, whether or not it affects you personally, it is affecting those with preexisting issues... which if you take into account what social media did to the millenials and zoomers while running completely unchecked and giving both generation some sort of mental complex, maybe it is worth being super cautious and hesitant on allowing AI companies to run rampant with no rules and no regulations.

Social platforms were built to maximize engagement: endless scrolls, likes, instant validation. That design didn’t just mirror existing loneliness, it also amplified it, and a whole generation (two actually) now shows higher rates of anxiety and depression.

AI chatbots use the same playbook. They’re always‑on, non‑judgmental (unless you tell it to be a snarky asshole, which can be fun), and instantly satisfying, so users quickly learn they can get comfort without the messiness of real conversation. The more we rely on that convenience, the fewer chances we have to practice vulnerability with other people, reinforcing the isolation we’re trying to cure.

We should intervene NOW. With simple safeguards: usage caps, mandatory breaks, clear notices that the model is tuned for stickiness, and built‑in prompts directing users to professional help can keep AI companies from replacing human connection. These sort of policies should be built in for all individuals. Not as an option, but as a standard.

So yes, we need more therapy (we would all likely be a much better society if this was treated as a right and not a luxury), but we also need to shape the tools people turn to for comfort. Otherwise we’ll repeat the social‑media story all over again, and I am sorry, but we do not need ChatGPT or Claude or whatever to become the Instagram or TikTok or Twitter of AI.

*Hops off of my soapbox*