A heartwarming video of one child befriending another with a completely opposite personality has captivated millions of TikTok users.
In the video, shared by proud mom Diana Jones (@dihanajones), her 4-year-old son Milan is seen lying on the church floor next to another boy, who is hiding under a bench. The overlaid text explains: “Just an extrovert finding the most introverted person in the room to be his new best friend.”
Jones, from Utah, told Newsweek: “Milan will try to make friends with anyone who makes eye contact with him, but lately, he’s been seeking out very shy kids or adults to start conversations with.”
SimplyPsychology.org, a U.K.-based educational website, previously explained that introversion is marked by traits like reserve, thoughtfulness, and a preference for privacy, with introverts feeling more comfortable and energized in solitary or low-stimulus environments.
Two screenshots from the viral video show 4-year-old Milan lying on the floor beside another boy who is hiding under a bench.
TikTok/@dihanajones
Extroversion, on the other hand, is characterized by sociability, assertiveness, and a love for excitement. Extroverts thrive in social settings, enjoy group activities, and feel energized by interacting with others, often seeking attention and novelty in their surroundings.
Jones added that her son is far from shy and often strikes up conversations with anyone he meets. She describes him as “expressive and empathetic,” a trait clearly demonstrated in the video, which has garnered over 2 million views and more than 530,000 likes.
“I thought it was very sweet how he went to try to be friends with a kid who was upset and hiding,” Jones said. “We all need friends like that.”
The touching scene has resonated with hundreds online, many of whom have shared their own stories in the comments.
One comment with over 16,000 likes read: “This is how I made nearly all of my best friends in school.”
“Every introvert needs to be adopted by an extrovert, so excellent job,” said another commenter, while a third user agreed, “As an introverted kid, none of my friendships were initiated by me. It was always the other person, and I’ve never been more thankful.”
Newsweek previously spoke to parenting experts who provided advice for parents of introverts, aimed to help them. They include:
- Nourish your child’s introversion.
- Celebrate your child’s temperament.
- Don’t shame or belittle your child for their introversion.
- Don’t force social interactions.
- Don’t over-schedule your child.
- Take things slowly
- Tell teachers
Emily Mudd, a pediatric psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health, told Newsweek that “most people tend to fall somewhere in the middle of the [extrovert and introvert] spectrum, depending on the circumstance.”
If you have a family dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
