Admonishment is often viewed negatively, but in the Bible, God admonishes Israel so that His people will accept His love. In Colossians, Paul says

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)
Admonishment can come from a feeling of affection, wanting to help a friend not fall into sin, and stay in the light of the Lord.

And so, yes, I believe Ben is admonishing. In the very best sense of the word and out of the same concern for two people he cares about.