Why do people prank others?
Reasons include:
- Boredom
- Desire to control
- Fear
- Desire to feel better about themselves
None of the above reasons relate to someone pranking another out of kindness or to improve their esteem. That’s because pranks almost always are tinged with fear and its mean-spirited brethren.
Examples:
- Putting a sign like “Kick Me” on someone’s back
- Pretending to be in severe pain or distress
- Calling someone and asking inane questions
- Placing something in another person’s path that will trip them, fall on them, or otherwise cause them to stumble or become uncomfortable
The victim of any prank may laugh it off or decide to pull a prank on the instigator or someone else. Neither response is good; the former gives power to the prankster, the latter perpetuates the negative behavior.
I know that “hurting people hurt people,” but no one has the right to make themselves feel better by hurting someone else. That’s the message to give someone who pulls a prank.
