Grown men are wishing their friends sweet dreams. The internet can't get enough.

Indianapolis Star

21-05-2025

When was the last time you called a friend, not to rant or finalize plans, but just to tell them sweet dreams?
A new TikTok trend encourages men to call up their friends before bed to tell them goodnight, and the internet is loving the heartfelt content. The majority of videos are filmed by a wife, fiancé or girlfriend.
In a video posted by TikTok couple Shae & Chris, Christopher Taylor elicits mostly confusion by his friends on the other end of the line.
"Man, I just called, man, to tell you goodnight," Taylor says while holding back a laugh.
"You did what, bro?" his friend responds, as Taylor quietly laughs in the background. "Say that one more time for me. Repeat that. What the hell is wrong with you man?" By the end of the video, the two are laughing together. As of May 21, the video had more than 657,000 views on TikTok.
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Other than some snickers, most of the videos feature a common thread: At least one friend making sure the caller is alright.
In a video posted by TikTok user Kassadi Lavrinovich, which as of May 21 had 2.5 million views, husband Mikhail Lavrinovich calls a handful of his friends to tell them goodnight. Though most responses involved some chuckles, others pulled at heartstrings.
"Are you joking?" one of Mikhail's friend asks with a laugh. "Well thanks man, I appreciate that. I don't remember the last time somebody said good night to me."
Whether or not the trend intentionally meant to stir up dialogue about the importance of male friendships, it has.
The act of calling up a friend to check in, as a man, isn't a part of socialized norms, Ronald Levant, emeritus psychology professor at the University of Akron, told USA TODAY. It goes against masculine ideals, taught to boys in grade school, said the author of "The Tough Standard: The Hard Truths About Masculinity and Violence."
"I do think we give up a lot of comfort and health, actually, in not being more connected with people," Levant said.
While the trend may be seen as a joke to many, it can also serve as a reminder to men about the importance of re-evaluating ideals that may not be best serving them. Levant encouraged mind to take this time to think about masculine ideologies they were taught at a young age and be open to expressing vulnerability more genuinely.
"I can see how some men might (say), 'Eh, it started off as a spoof, but let's go with it and see where it goes,' and then them being pleasantly surprised by how it good it feels to check in with a friend or have a friend concerned about you," Levant said.