What EXACTLY is edging?

I've read countless posts and watched a lot of videos on the topic, but I still don't know what edging is exactly. In my M days, I would go right up until the point of O, then rest and repeat (for hours). Since I have been on hard mode, I haven't gone even close to O, but I'll occasionally see a dirty picture and get hard, and instinctively touch it just a little. Not masturbating, just touching for a very short period. Is looking at dirty pictures that I receive considered edging (I receive A LOT)? I'm nowhere near relapsing in the traditional sense, but am I doing damage to my dopamine receptors by simply looking at a dirty picture? I want to get the most out of my reboot and I don't consider what I'm doing as edging so my counter still stands at 30 days. I haven't noticed any changes since I started so I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong.

 

Thank you for your response. I guess I should have been more specific. By "a lot" I mean once every five days or so, but it's usually a different girl, and it's just a passing glance. I don't usually focus on it and I'm never really tempted by it. My question was more about the physical act. Since I'm not stroking or anything close to it, I don't count it as edging. And since I don't really look at the pictures, other than a quick glance, I don't count that as edging either. I've never thought that I have a problem with PMO, but I am in a habit of doing it more than I'd like to and I want to experience benefits of quitting altogether. If it's a reset it's a reset, but even based on your definition, I would still consider my streak as active. Also, the pictures are sent to me, I don't actively seek porn out, and they disappear quickly (snapchat). Again, thank you for your response.

 

I mean it varies. My "porn" was always in the form of dirty pictures (through snapchat) of past girlfriends or random girls from dating apps, so I still have some that send me unsolicited pictures. I don't want to delete snapchat because it's my main source of communication with people since I live in a city where I don't know anyone. I'm a teacher and a 12-credit grad student so I have nearly zero free time (literally) to socialize. I'm not trying to excuse any behavior, but rather identify the best strategy for me to get the most out of a reboot. Again, thank you for your help.

 

Thank you for your reply. I've never had a problem with PIED or ED, but I definitely consider myself a sex addict in terms of constantly thinking about sex and leading every conversation in to sex. I haven't come anywhere near a relapse, but after reading forums and watching videos, I do realize that even small indulgences can be harmful. From here on, I'm going to do my best to avoid all sexual stimuli, to get the most out of my reboot.

 

Thank you for your reply. After reading more, I now realize that even though I'm not acting upon anything, even the sight of a dirty picture can be harmful.