06/29/2025
Go ahead and send that silly meme! Sending a funny cat or a sleepy sloth expresses, “I thought of you,” helping maintain closeness in online or long-distance friendships.
Researchers from Concordia University found that sharing cute animal content like images memes, or videos can actually strengthens your friendships. Whether it’s a cat in a costume or a baby capybara in a tub, these digital “gifts” act like small gestures of connection, almost like a penguin offering pebbles to a mate. According to Newsweek, the researchers call it a form of “digital pebbling”, signaling affection, attention, and thoughtfulness.
It’s not just about the image itself, it’s the emotional cue it carries. When you send a funny cat or a sleepy sloth, you’re saying, “I thought of you,” which helps maintain closeness, especially in online or long-distance friendships.
In a world where many of our relationships live in text threads and group chats, these small, joyful interruptions remind people they matter. It’s not about the goat in pajamas, it’s about the moment of shared delight it brings. So yes, keep sending the baby ducks and sleepy sloths. You’re not wasting time, you’re nurturing your social garden, one fluffy meme at a time.
