UPDATE: A Seattle family’s unique texting rule is taking TikTok by storm, garnering over 730,000 views in just days. In a viral post, 22-year-old Sanjita Rishikesan (@iluvturtlezzz) shares her parents’ surprising household mandate—requiring her and her 17-year-old brother Srikar to respond to family group chat messages with emojis, especially when it comes to the reels their parents send.
This revelation has sparked widespread amusement and conversation online. Sanjita’s mother, Karpagam Lakshminarasimhan, and father, Rishi Rangarajan, both in their 50s, send content they find meaningful or funny, insisting their children engage with it, regardless of how busy they might be. “You have to watch it at the earliest available free time,” the family group’s message reads, emphasizing the importance of connection within their household.
Sanjita’s TikTok clip humorously highlights this parental expectation, which she jokingly attributes to her parents being “more chronically online” than she is. The video features a text message from her mother outlining the rule, which was met with immediate disbelief and laughter from Sanjita.
The content shared among the family typically includes lighthearted dog reels and funny family videos, often poking fun at Sanjita’s reactions to their posts. “They mostly send dog reels and funny family reels, mostly talking about how easily I get annoyed,” she explained in an interview. Occasionally, they also share AI-generated videos they mistakenly believe to be real.
The clip has resonated deeply with viewers, prompting many to urge Sanjita and Srikar to comply with their parents’ wishes. Comments on the post reveal a mix of humor and relatability, with one user, identifying as a psychologist, stating, “It’s called a bid for connection—they want to share what they find interesting and hope you do too!”
As the laughter continues, Sanjita encourages her followers that she is responding to the reels, albeit with just emojis. “To everyone telling me to respond to the reels, I have been responding,” she reassured them, adding a personal touch to the story that many find relatable.
The Rishikesan family’s humorous take on digital communication highlights a broader trend of generational differences in technology use and connection. As parents strive to bond with their children through shared content, Sanjita’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of family connection in the digital age.
This story is still trending, and with the ongoing engagement on TikTok, it’s clear that the Rishikesan family’s texting rule has struck a chord. Stay tuned for more updates as this unique family dynamic continues to capture the internet’s attention.
