Gossip is good. Tattling is bad.

Vox quotes Michael Stefanone in an article discussing how gossip is actually beneficial. The act of gossiping, of exchanging information, is actually a powerful form of social bonding. “Gossiping, although it has a negative context, has lots of pro-social benefits,” Stefanone says. “Gossip helps to build relationships. Because when I choose you to confide in and share this information about somebody else that we probably both know, that communicates to you that I trust you,” Stefanone adds. “Maybe I’m sharing this information because I need help and am looking for a solution or because I value your opinion. There’s lots of different reasons.”