In a recent social media tale, a TikTok user left a woman utterly surprised with a revelation about an indent on her pinky finger, attributed to her phone-holding habit. People often hold their phones more than they’d like to admit. In fact, this story highlights a prevailing belief in a theory known as the smartphone pinky, suggesting that constant phone use may leave an indelible mark on the pinky.
Smartphone Pinky May Be a Myth
This intriguing narrative unfolded through the lens of TikTok content creator Callum Joyce. He discussed the pinky theory on his podcast, Bedtime Stories, in collaboration with co-presenter Hannah. The duo discussed the impact of phone usage on a human’s physical features, particularly the little fingers.
With people glued to their screens, their smartphones often rest on their pinkies. Callum explains that because people hold their phones so much, their little fingers actually get an indent in them. Hannah was intrigued by this revelation and prompted to test the theory with her own phone. Her response was one of astonishment because she confirmed the theory to herself.
Smartphones Burden the Thumbs
However, not everyone is convinced by this notion. Some TikTok users took to the comments section to voice their skepticism. One commenter argued that all fingers have an indent, and another claimed that they had it on theirs but only used the right hand. Nevertheless, there were counterarguments as well, with one person explaining that the pinky that holds the phone is deeper than the rest because it bears the weight. In the midst of these varying opinions, one person insisted that they didn’t hold their phone like that.
While a slight curvature in the pinky may not seem detrimental, experts caution that it could potentially have long-term consequences. Pareena Patel, a pharmacist, noted that while there’s no clinical evidence to support the existence of the smartphone pinky, repetitive strain from excessive phone use could impact muscular function and even damage joints, particularly in the thumb and wrist areas.
Ultimately, the concern should not be about the pinky because the thumb is the finger that people should really be concerned about. Overusing the thumb for scrolling can lead to repetitive strain injuries, causing soreness and inflammation due to the repetitive movements involved. So, while smartphone pinky may remain a debated topic, it’s essential to be mindful of the potential strain that constant phone use can place on the hands and fingers. People should be especially mindful of how they use their thumbs.