The fact that memes have impacted our culture and our humor is obvious, their popularity makes it hard to deny it. Possibly a more surprising thing is that it also has an impact on our relationships. A positive one, of course.

You see, memes are all about sharing. That is literally how they spread—we find something funny, we share it, then more people find it funny, and it’s passed along ‘til it becomes viral or dies. It’s the circle of a meme’s life.

But it is that sharing part, though, those few clicks you make that enriches our relationships. According to Oxford University psychologist Dr. Mary Kempnich, we should not underestimate the power of sending a meme. “You basically are just showing each other that you exist, you care, and you want to make each other laugh, and it doesn’t really matter how your day is going.”

It’s an equivalent of a postcard, if you will—a meaningful image that you send somebody to show that you are thinking of them. We give a gift of laughter and we move on. 

The moving on part is a big reason why sending memes is so appealing, too—it does not require a response. That is appreciated by many of us who are constantly busy with our daily lives. Meaningful check-ins can take a lot of time and effort. Having them unexpectedly in the day can feel too demanding. Sending a meme, though, is a one-off. When you receive it, all you need to do is double tap it, and it’s done.

Sending memes, though, should not replace more meaningful communications. Sure, memes can help you to share your feelings about certain things as well as political stances, but they do not replace a simple conversation. 

When speaking to Stylist, psychotherapist Ruairi Stewart points out that memes are not enough to build a connection. “A meaningful relationship or friendship means sharing your feelings and thoughts with your own words, to process experiences and ideas and to feel a sense of connection. This cannot be achieved by sharing memes alone, but it is a good addition and complements other forms of connection.” 

Stewart also mentions how you can make your meme-related interactions a bit more meaningful. If you’re the one sending the meme, you can add a text or a voice note to it to make the message more impactful. Talk about how this meme reminded you of a memory you shared, or why it made you think of that person. If you’re the one on the receiving end, you can share how it made you feel and why.

All that to say, sharing is caring even when it comes to memes. So, look through this list and shoot a few messages to friends, family, or co-workers. They will appreciate it.