Is This TikTok Prank a Secret Cure For Male Loneliness?

Well, men are now calling their friends to say goodnight. And even though the trend may have started out as the latest TikTok prank, the wholesome act is sparking joy and reigniting conversation around male friendship.

In one video shared by TikTok user Sydsacks, which currently has nearly 170,000 likes, a man calls various friends to wish them goodnight, with one of them responding through laughter, "What do you mean?" But when the caller reiterated that he just wanted to call to say goodnight, his friend responded, "Alright man, well, goodnight. That's really sweet of you. I hope you have a good night."

In another video posted by user Mirandafaye01, currently at over 400,000 likes, the poster's husband makes the same such call, and his friend responds, "Why? Are you thinking of me for real?" One top comment read, "Proof men need more platonic love in their lives."

As to be expected, social media can't get enough of the wholesome trend: For many, it's a display of affection among male friends that isn't often seen — but some are also pointing out how therapeutic it is. "This trend is going to heal the male loneliness epidemic," one person commented. Though male loneliness is very real, the viral nature of this trend shows that something as simple as a phone call could be enough to combat the epidemic all together. Because what makes this "prank" so charming is that it's really just a sweet moment of connection.

For many male friendships specifically, these moments of connection are often few and far between, which is why most of the friends in the videos are initially confused or surprised to be on the receiving end of it. Really, it shows just how low the bar is for emotional intimacy between male friends, which, for viewers, can feel both endearing and heartbreaking at the same time.

The beauty of this trend, however, is that it ultimately highlights the need for these types of small interactions. While most men may have what we like to call "couch friends" or "VIP friends," there's often a lack of emotional depth there. Can a TikTok prank change that?

At the end of the day, yes, men calling their friends and telling them "goodnight" may be a silly little thing that'll soon be overtaken by the next viral idea. But even so, it's an important reminder that emotional intimacy doesn't have to come in the form of a grand gesture, milestone moment, or deep heart-to-heart. It can be something simple and sweet, like a bedtime phone call that may or may not make your friend momentarily question if you're dying. (Sorry, but you know some people's minds initially went there.)

If one small prank can spark a wave of accidental emotional growth for men everywhere, I'm here for it, the internet is here for it, and the lonely men in your life should be here for it, too. Maybe that's the real butterfly effect.

Taylor Andrews (she/her) is the balance editor at PS, specializing in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, travel, and more. With seven years of editorial experience, Taylor has a strong background in content creation and storytelling. Prior to joining PS in 2021, she worked at Cosmopolitan.