Viral goodnight calls on TikTok are showing the softer side of masculinity
Some of the toughest guys on the internet are ending their nights by calling each other to say “goodnight.” The viral TikTok trend features men dialing up their friends for a sweet sendoff, but behind the humor lies a deeper conversation about masculinity and friendship.
It usually plays out the same way: a guy, lying in bed next to his girlfriend or wife, dials one of his closest friends just to say “goodnight.” The friend on the other end usually responds with confusion, laughter or a suspicious “you good?” But that awkwardness is exactly what makes the videos go viral.
Partners often record the calls without the friend knowing, and the reactions — half-shocked, half-sentimental — offer a rare peek into how young men navigate vulnerability and affection.
The masculinity layer
While the trend is meant to be funny, experts say it reveals a deeper truth.
A psychology professor at the University of Akron told USA Today that men calling to check on their friends goes against traditional masculine ideals. That’s likely why the reactions are so exaggerated — and why they’re resonating online.
Loneliness by the numbers
The goodnight calls are going viral at a time when male loneliness is on the rise.
A May 2025 Gallup poll found that younger men in the U.S. are lonelier than their peers in other countries. The survey tied loneliness to living standards and overall well-being.
And it’s not just about isolation — it’s also about identity. A 2024 poll by the National Research Group revealed that 43% of young men aged 13 to 30 don’t know what it means to be a man in today’s society.
Friendship still matters
Data shows that deeper friendships could help.
A 2023 Pew Research Center study found that 61% of Americans say having close friends is very or extremely important to living a fulfilling life. However, 8% reported having no close friends at all, while 38% said they had more than five.
So, it may start with a laugh, but the trend is quietly challenging long-held ideas about masculinity, emotion and how men express care. In a culture where loneliness is on the rise, a simple “goodnight, bro” might go a lot further than you think.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
