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On the Radar: ‘Pebbling,’ Digital Self-Harm and ‘Septum Arms’

Pebbling Penguins Inspire Texting Trend

What? Pebbling is the social phenomenon of sending people memes, videos or links to show you’re thinking of them,” according to yahoo!life. The term itself is derived from penguins in Antarctica that deliver a carefully curated set of pebbles to their partners, which are then used to build a nest together.

So What? Ok, so that’s adorable. And while pebbling shouldn’t replace more traditional love languages, experts say that it can help strengthen bonds between friends and family.

Now What? Pebbling might seem too simple to be relationally significant. But that simplicity can help bridge the gap between generations. College students can pebble their younger siblings still living at home. Grandchildren can pebble their grandparents living in another state. And it’s just a nice little way of saying, “I’m thinking of you.”

Digital Self-Harm Is on the Rise for Teens

What? Digital self-harm is the phenomenon of posting negative content about yourself or cyberbullying yourself anonymously online. And according to researchers, there’s been an 88% increase in teenagers who digitally self-harm since 2016.

So What? Digital self-harm has been associated with depression, sleep troubles, eating disorders, bullying and physical harm. Some experts suggest that teens express their pain in this manner online because they feel it’s the only safe place they can do so.

Now What? Dr. Sameer Hinduja, a study coauthor says it’s “essential” for anyone working with young people to extend support to victims of online abuse (even digital self-harm) in both informal, conversational settings as well as formal, clinical settings. And parents are encouraged to foster an environment where their children feel safe to share their struggles.

Just What, Exactly, Are ‘Septum Arms’?

What? “Septum arms” is a new phrase trending on social media used to describe unattractive arms (read, bigger arms) on women.

So What? It seems the term was created by accident—a result of comments getting misread. However, the result is the same: There is now a new way for young women especially to feel self-conscious about their bodies online.

Now What? Because of the confusion with the term and its origins, a few influencers spoke out against it, reminding folks that we should be kind online. And that’s the best advice we can offer here. Discourage your teens from using terms they don’t fully understand, especially as it regards mocking other people. And if they become the target of online abuse, make sure you make space to talk with them about that experience and how it makes them feel. Seek counseling if necessary. (You can speak with a counselor through Focus on the Family by calling 1-800-A-FAMILY.)

Emily Tsiao

Emily studied film and writing when she was in college. And when she isn’t being way too competitive while playing board games, she enjoys food, sleep, and geeking out with her husband indulging in their “nerdoms,” which is the collective fan cultures of everything they love, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate and Lord of the Rings.

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