Well, I could elaborate on what has bothered me in prank videos in the past.
In general, I classify any "prank" that involves somebody else's body (touching, physically restraining, etc) without their consent (or consent is given, but only after significant pressure and coercion has taken place) is harassment/abuse/assault. I would also consider videos that trick a person into doing or saying something that they did not mean to do or say unethical. Examples include (and these are from real videos): lassoing women on the streets, pinching or groping, handcuffing yourself to another and only taking off the handcuffs in exchange for something (a kiss, hug, phone number, etc), pressuring someone to kiss you by invading their personal space and not letting up until they give in, pressuring someone to do something to someone else (such as kissing/hugging), etc.
Like you said, these tactics sound very familiar, and these channels get away with it because they use the same excuses that you mentioned (boys will be boys, it was all in good fun, etc).
There are plenty of harmless prank videos as well, that don't rub me the wrong way. A video of a guy jogging by and giving someone who is holding their hand out for a taxi a high-five. If someone asks for your phone number you give them a gag number that recites a funny message. Telling someone you want them to watch a really important video when it is really just a RickRoll. Flashmobs. Giving someone plastic food instead of real food so they bite into a plastic grape. I understand that the basic premise of a prank is that the person doesn't see it coming, meaning that consent is generally lacking from the get-go. However, pranks should be set up in a way that doesn't threaten a person, and also allows the person to walk away from the interaction without feeling shame, pressure, or discomfort. Anything that we firmly believe requires consent should not be the subject of a prank. As a YouTube channel that is entirely based on pranks, I feel as if it is the duty of the creators to film pranks that do not violate people's rights to their bodies and freedom.
I hope I answered your question