Some humans are taking their relationship signs About penguins.
A social media trend called “pebbling” involves sending memes, videos or links to a person to connect or show affection, according to some experts.
The name was inspired by gentoo penguins, who are known to leave rocks in their partners' nests as a sign of affection, social media influencers have said.
'SAD' TREND ON SOCIAL MEDIA COULD BE SYMPTOMATIC OF 'QUESTIONING' PROBLEMS, PSYCHOLOGIST SAYS
“Sending memes, links, and videos to other people isn't trivial: it's a signal that you're thinking about them and want them to share in your joy,” Dr. Adam Grant, a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, wrote on his X account.
“It's called pebbling and it's based on the fact that penguins give pebbles to potential partners,” she continued. “Pebbling is an act of caring. Each pebble is a bid for connection.”
A relationship trend called “pebbling” involves sending memes, videos or links to a person to connect or show affection, according to some relationship experts. (iStock)
Fox News Digital has reached out to Grant for further comment.
Some young couples told Fox News Digital that pebbling creates a greater connection and is a unique way to let their loved ones know they are thinking of them.
PSYCHOLOGISTS REVEAL 7 WAYS PARENTS CAN BOOST HAPPINESS BY HELPING KIDS FIND THEIR PURPOSE
Abby and Cooper, a young couple in their 20s from Maryland, told Fox News Digital that using rocks is a fun and easy way to express affection. (They declined to share their last names for privacy reasons.)
The new social media trend of “pebbling” involves penguins dropping rocks alongside potential partners, a psychologist has said. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)
“I send Abby Instagram Reels when they relate to something she's done in the past… I also send her TikToks about murder mystery shows and cute animals to pique her interest,” Cooper told Fox News Digital.
The young couple said the stones help them stay connected when they are apart.
“Pebbling is an act of caring. Each stone is a commitment to connection.”
“I will always send Coop new restaurants I see or meals and recipes I want to try,” Abby told Fox News Digital.
“It's a way of saying 'hey, let's try this,' but it also brings us closer because it means we can go and do it together. And we both love food… so you can never go wrong with a food meme or TikTok.”
PARENTS ARE SPLASHING EGGS ON THEIR CHILDREN'S HEADS AS PART OF A TIKTOK TREND – THIS IS WHAT PSYCHOLOGISTS WILL SAY
In addition to serving as a shared love language between couples, pebbling can also build bridges between adults and their children, relationship experts told Fox News Digital.
“Sharing memes and videos online in a family group chat is a wonderful way to foster connection with teens at a time when face-to-face communication with them is more difficult. Parents and their children “The disease is becoming more and more complicated,” Christine MacInnis, a licensed family therapist in Torrance, California, told Fox News Digital.
Sharing memes, links, GIFs or videos gives parents a chance to show their kids they're thinking about them, an expert said. (CyberGuy.com)
“It's less intense and safer for children who grew up in the digital age,” he added.
Sharing short video clips can create common ground between two people, the therapist said.
MacInnis' 17-year-old daughter said she enjoys this form of connection. with his family.
WARNING FOR MOMS AND DADS ABOUT THE POPULAR 'SHARENTING' TREND
“I enjoy sharing Tik Toks back and forth because it's a more fun and advanced way to communicate,” the teen said in a text message to Fox News Digital.
Pebbling has also been an effective communication tool used in the neurodivergent community, social workers told Fox News Digital.
Two African penguin chicks are seen in their enclosure at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. The name of the rock-leaving trend was apparently inspired by penguins leaving rocks in their mates' nests as a form of affection. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
“Their long-standing and well-documented success in the sector neurodivergent community —and more recently used to describe demonstrative gestures within other types of relationships, such as dating and friendship—pebbling also has the potential to improve communication between parents and teens,” Dr. Elissa Giffords, a licensed clinical social worker and professor and director of the Social Work Program at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, told Fox News Digital via email.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Sharing memes, links, GIFs or videos gives parents the opportunity to show your children who are thinking about them, he said.
“Even if your kids roll their eyes or think what they received is nonsense, it conveys the basic message 'I'm thinking of you,'” Giffords said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
While using pebbles can help parents show affection, empathy and concern in moderation, the timing and quantity of messages are also important, the expert cautioned.
“Sharing memes and videos online… is a wonderful way to foster connection with teens at a time when face-to-face communication becomes more difficult.”
“Parents should be aware “not to go overboard in offering their 'stones,'” Giffords said.
If used intentionally, the pebble game could become an activity that both parties enjoy and could provide an opportunity for further discussion, she added.
For more lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle
“It can be difficult for some people because there's less communication involved if you're always sending memes instead of talking in person,” one woman noted.
While pebbling can help build a stronger connection in a relationship, it shouldn't be the only form of communication between two people, couples and parents told Fox News Digital.
