TikTok Users Shocked by Hilarious and Unhinged Text Messages from Boomer Parents
In the ever-evolving world of social media, TikTok has become a platform where generational divides are humorously highlighted, especially when it comes to texting habits. Recently, TikTok users have been left in stitches over a series of videos showcasing the hilariously confusing and often unhinged text messages sent by boomer parents.
TikToker Allie O’Brien has become a sensation with her viral video, which has amassed 3.2 million views. In this video, O’Brien shares comments from people who have received unintentionally ominous text messages from their parents. These messages, when read out of context, have caused unnecessary worry and confusion among the recipients.
One comment shared by O’Brien reads, “I have a screenshot after my dad was getting surgery where my mom says, ‘They lost your father’ − meaning she didn’t know what room he was in.” Another comment recounts, “I once got a text that said, ‘Your aunt passed (blood emojis),’ but apparently she just had high enough iron levels to donate blood.”
O’Brien, clearly baffled by these messages, ends her video with a question that resonates with many: “What becomes of people over the age of 50 to text like this?”
The video struck a chord with many TikTok users, prompting a flood of comments and follow-up videos where O’Brien reads more unhinged text messages from boomer parents. One such comment reads, “When my grandpa was in the hospital my dad told me they unhooked everything and it was time. I took that as he died and let my mom’s side know. Nope, he was getting discharged.”
In some cases, the confusion goes in the opposite direction, making something dark seem light. One commenter shared, “My mom did the opposite. My aunt was in the hospital for a few days and my mom texted ‘Your Aunt has gone home!’ She meant heaven. My aunt died.”
The phenomenon of confusing text messages isn’t limited to boomer parents. Teenagers, too, have found themselves under the spotlight for their clueless or insensitive texts. Chip Leighton, who runs a similar TikTok account, highlights these messages in his videos. One video with 4.2 million views features messages like, “What’s grandma’s actual name?” and “Bruh. When does my social security number expire?”
Leighton explains that the frustration with boomer texting habits often stems from their use of punctuation. “There are many things young people find annoying about the way we text, but their biggest pet peeve is when we use punctuation. ‘Why do you put a period after every sentence? It’s so aggressive,'” he says. “And don’t even think about using the ominous ellipses…these come across as intimidating and very weird.”
These TikTok accounts, while providing endless entertainment, also highlight a deeper generational divide over language, vernacular, and digital etiquette. The way different generations interpret text messages can vary significantly, often leading to misunderstandings.
Linguist Gretchen McCulloch, author of “Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language,” explains that this disconnect is tied to when a person adopted digital communication in their lifetime. Many young people have a “computer-first mentality” and choose different grammatical tools in messages compared to those who grew up doing “more casual writing on postcards.”
McCulloch suggests that the solution to this digital confusion is to try and mirror the punctuation and style of the person you are communicating with. “If someone sends me an email with no exclamation marks, I will try to send them an email back with as few exclamation marks as possible.”
While these texting habits can lead to hilarious viral videos, they also serve as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of digital communication and the importance of adapting to different styles to avoid misunderstandings.
Source: USA TODAY
