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Viral pic sparks huge debate over how we wear our earrings: 'Never knew!'

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Are you wearing your earrings all wrong? According to one meme, you might be.

If you wear studs or hoops in your ears, you've probably noticed small round pieces of plastic that are attached to the back of them.

A social media post has gone viral after it was discovered these plastic bits can be removed.

"After my nineteen years of living I have now realized you are supposed to take the plastic part off," the post reads, accompanied by photos showing the plastic backing detached.

Two pics of hand holding stud earrings, one with the plastic backing removed
A social media post has gone viral after some people discovered the little plastic pieces on some earrings can be removed. Credit: Facebook

Discovery shocks internet

The image, which was originally tweeted by Chelsea Smith in 2015, recently resurfaced on Facebook group Mum Central and is blowing minds all over again.

"You learn something new every day," one surprised woman wrote, where the pic was posted this week.

"Loool I didn't know that either and I'm 46!" a second woman commented.

"Really? I never knew that! I've always left the plastic on!" wrote another.

Are you really supposed to remove them?

Not everyone is in agreement about removing the little plastic bits though. Many Facebook users claim these clear backings serve a purpose and should remain right where they are.

"Don't remove the plastic, it gives the ear more stability with the earring... Take it from an earring maker," one woman commented, while another said they're used to protect the earhole from getting droopy.

Others say the backings are intentionally included to provide extra support for bigger studs and asymmetrical earrings.

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"No you are not. These are called safety backs and they can prevent regular backs being pushed into the hole. In kids, the back can push into the hole and even start to grow around the back. This keeps that from happening," another woman explained.

"I don't take it off. I have metal allergies and keeps the back from touching my ear, one woman related.

Backings don't come with all earrings and are in fact sold separately online, which suggests they have a necessary function. In the end though, whether or not you decide to wear backings on your earrings comes down to personal preference.

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