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Feeling less lonely on social media

The Internet has been blamed for increasing anxiety, but some social media platforms such as Pinterest and Instagram are trying to do something about it by rolling out features to address mental health.

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When I open the Instagram app on my phone, about once a day, the first thing I look at is the heart icon at the bottom of the screen.

A red dot, indicating that my latest post has been liked, brings a smile to my face. I peek at it even if I have not posted anything for a while, knowing fully well that no recent post means no red dot below the heart.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on July 28, 2019, with the headline Feeling less lonely on social media. Subscribe