Young men are gathering in video calls to engage in a prolonged form of masturbation known as 'gooning', during which they watch pornography without climaxing.
Young men are increasingly participating in a phenomenon termed 'gooning', where they collectively engage in masturbation over video calls while consuming various types of pornography. The activity seeks to elongate the experience of pleasure without reaching climax, allowing participants to enter a euphoric state often described as feeling 'floaty' or in a 'weightless condition'. The trend has garnered attention for being a form of escapism and shared intimacy among young men, reflecting a shift in how sexual experiences are explored in a digital age.
The practice has been spotlighted in various media, including Harper’s Magazine and Vice, noting that gooning consists of edging—delaying orgasm—combined with the consumption of stimulating adult content. This combines to create an environment where the participants aim to achieve a trance-like state, termed the 'goonstate'. The practice has grown in popularity, igniting discussions around male sexuality, communal experiences, and the psychological aspects of pleasure without climaxing.
This trend raises questions about the implications of shared sexual experiences through the internet, particularly in the context of young men's mental health and their relationships with one another. As societal norms around masculinity evolve, gooning presents both a challenge and an opportunity to understand modern expressions of sexual intimacy and the ways individuals seek connection in an increasingly digitized world.
