TikTok has become a platform for users to share humorous and often bewildering text messages from their family members. This new trend, which encourages creators to post screenshots of these amusing exchanges, highlights the quirks of family communication, with messages ranging from overly concerned parents to siblings with unexpected questions.
In one particularly popular post, creator Audrey Saxton from Dallas, Texas, garnered over 700,000 likes for a screenshot of an exchange with her father. Initially, he reminded her to wish her mother a “happy mom day.” However, when Saxton inquired about baby pictures, her father responded with a bewildering, “Who is this?” Saxton humorously noted, “Sometimes you have to read your dad’s text and move on,” illustrating the often confusing but endearing nature of family messaging.
Saxton elaborated in an interview with TODAY.com that her reaction was to send her father a string of “15 question marks.” In a classic dad joke response, he clarified, “Just kidding.” She reflected on their communication style, saying, “Our text messages never make any sense. They are always shorthanded or someone’s responding days later, and I knew that we would have something funny.”
Another viral entry comes from Rania Saleh, a 25-year-old from Ohio, who shared a text exchange with her 16-year-old niece, Riyah. After her niece expressed that she missed her, Saleh replied, “I actually miss you more.” Riyah then explained that she thought of her aunt during psychology class, where they discussed how mental and physical health can decline in one’s mid-twenties. Saleh found the message both humorous and touching, saying, “I gasped and just died laughing!” She added, “It made everyone’s day,” after sharing it with her siblings and Riyah’s mother.
The “read and move on” trend resonates widely among social media users due to its relatable nature. Oluwaseye Oyelowo, a 25-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, decided to join in by sharing a text from her 22-year-old sister, Oluwasayo. In her post, Oluwasayo asked, “When do you get paid and how much can I get?” Oyelowo described this as typical behavior for her sister, who is known for her straightforward requests.
Oyelowo explained, “Growing up, it was mainly my mom providing for us. Now that I’m working, I always make it known that they can ask for anything, just to help remove a load off our mother.” Her caption humorously noted that sometimes, “you have to look at your sister’s text message and move on with your day.”
After learning that their messages had gone viral, Oyelowo called her sister to share the news, jokingly saying, “You’re famous.” Oluwasayo responded with her characteristic humor, suggesting that she is “putting interest on the money she wanted me to give for using her.”
This trend highlights the unique and often comedic dynamics within families, showcasing how technology like TikTok enables users to connect and share their lives in entertaining ways. As families continue to navigate their relationships through the lens of social media, these messages serve as a reminder of the humor and warmth found in everyday exchanges.