Parenting expert says the viral “6 7” trend reveals what kids are really looking for
Credit: Instagram/drbeckyatgoodinside
“Sure, 6 7 is meaningless in content, but it’s not meaningless in feeling."
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“Why is my kid obsessed with this phrase?” Dr. Becky asked in a viral reel that’s now racked up 1.6 million views (@drbeckyatgoodinside). In the video, she paused on what might seem like meaningless repetition (the “6 7” meme circulating among kids) and reframed it entirely. “Sure, 6 7 is meaningless in content, but it’s not meaningless in feeling,” she said.
Dr. Becky explained that these micro-trends, whether a classroom chant or a TikTok catchphrase, are often less about the numbers and more about the social experience. Imagine being a child in a classroom: a couple of kids laugh, the teacher says, “Do problem 6 and 7,” and suddenly you have a chance to say “6 7.” Even if you aren’t friends with these classmates, at that moment, you feel like you belong.
Related: 28 silly kids jokes about going to school
Turning disruption into connection
Dr. Becky urged parents and teachers to see past the surface-level annoyance.
“If you’re finding this disruptive in your family,” she said, “think of another avenue for your kid to get the feeling they are looking for. They’re trying to say, ‘We’d like to have some family inside jokes.’”
She suggested playful, shared routines—repeating a silly phrase when someone’s hungry, belting out a line from the same song while cleaning up, or starting a small habit like “don’t let fame change you” as a way to build inside jokes at home. Over time, these little rituals become the glue of belonging, the “special cringe moments” kids remember.
Where did “6-7” even come from?
There may be no coherent explanation for 6-7, but here goes anyway: The number first surfaced in the chorus of “Doot Doot (6 7)”, a viral track by Philadelphia rapper Skrilla, a likely nod to the 10-67 police code, used to report a death. From there, the phrase escaped the song and took on a life of its own.
By late 2024, TikTok and X were flooded with clips pairing Skrilla’s hypnotic hook with basketball highlights and random reaction videos, the nonsensical “6-7” becoming a kind of all-purpose punchline.
Around the same time, high school basketball star Taylen Kinney helped solidify the meme’s form when, in a clip rating a Starbucks drink, he paused mid-thought and muttered, “Like a 6 … 6 … 6-7,” complete with a now-iconic weighing gesture. The moment caught fire, showing up in sports edits, even those of 6-foot-7 Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, and spiralled into its own corner of internet lore.
By March, a viral video of an overexcited fan shouting “6-7!” turned the bit into a full-blown archetype: the loud, clueless class clown the internet affectionately dubbed “Mason 67.”
When parents and teachers join in
The reel’s comment section echoed her insight. Parents and teachers shared how they embraced the trend rather than banning it, recognizing the social skill and joy it fostered. Some noted their own classrooms’ inside jokes, while others discussed family traditions that became private, playful languages between parent and child.
- “My grandchildren love that their grandma is 67 years old 😂.” — @bethhopes
- “It’s kind of like me screaming “Mike jonesssss!!!” as a preteen 😂🙃.” — @karrie_locher
- “think about when you were a kid” is generally a great exercise to keep us humble in parenting. We thought we had to forget to grow up. Now we have to remember.” — @drsumiphd
- “If you can’t beat them, join them! There’s also no faster way for kids to stop saying things than old folks starting to say it.” — @mitzzi23
- “Ok but don’t let fame change you is a perfect thing to say when leaving the house and I want to say this now 🤣.” — @maeghpie
How parents can channel the energy
The takeaway? Trends like “6 7” are windows into what children crave: small, repeatable moments where they feel seen, included, and part of a group. Parents can translate that lesson into their own homes with simple, consistent practices:
- Inside jokes: Repeat silly phrases that make everyone in the family laugh.
- Recurring songs or chants: Create shared rituals tied to daily routines.
- Shared catchphrases: Start a phrase in the morning and bring it back throughout the day.
Related: Mom loses her patience—but what she does next is teaching parents everywhere
The real lesson behind 6 7
By leaning into curiosity rather than frustration, parents can transform seemingly meaningless behaviors into opportunities for connection, empathy, and belonging. After all, it’s the feeling behind “6 7” (not the numbers) that matters most.
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