Rolled-up Newspaper on WhatsApp

What it signals here

chat meaning

Sharing a news article or signaling 'have you heard the latest?' in group chats; precedes forwarded news links.

status meaning

Set as status to indicate the person is following a major news event or to tease upcoming personal news/announcements.

double meaning

In some chat contexts, jokingly used to threaten to 'bop' someone with a newspaper like scolding a pet, referencing old cartoon tropes.

See it elsewhere