US Vice President JD Vance has called for a ban on the viral meme known as ‘6-7’ after an incident involving his young son during a church service. The meme, which has gained significant traction among Gen Z, has sparked a mixture of confusion and concern among parents and politicians alike. Vance’s comments illustrate the broad reach of this cultural phenomenon, which has transitioned from social media platforms to everyday life.
On December 9, 2025, Vance shared a post on his X account detailing how his five-year-old son became overly excited during Bible readings that began on pages 66 and 67 of the church missal. The child reportedly repeated the phrase “six seven” multiple times, prompting Vance to humorously suggest that a “narrow exception” to the First Amendment should be considered to ban the numbers altogether.
In his post, Vance expressed his bewilderment at the meme’s popularity, stating, “Where did this even come from? I don’t understand it.” He reminisced about his own childhood, noting that past viral trends typically had a clear origin story. Responses to his post varied widely; some parents voiced support for the ban, while others continued to engage with the meme itself.
One parent recounted their experience, stating, “Someone on a podcast said ‘6, 7 years,’ and it activated my 12-year-old like he was a sleeper agent. I agree. Ban it. For the good of us all.” Another parent echoed this sentiment, asking if Vance could indeed look into banning the meme. Conversely, critics pointed out the absurdity of focusing on a meme while discussing more pressing issues, with one user remarking, “There are veterans living homeless, and you are creating legislation to ban 6-7.”
As debates around Vance’s comments heated up, attention also shifted to his parenting style. Earlier in the year, he shared insights about managing his children’s behaviors during a podcast, illustrating his straightforward approach to public meltdowns. He described how he would take a child experiencing a tantrum to the bathroom and firmly tell them to stop.
Despite Vance’s confusion about the meme, its origins are rooted in a chaotic mix of pop culture influences. According to Dictionary.com, ‘6-7’ is categorized as slang and is pronounced “six-seven.” The phrase originated from the track “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Philadelphia rapper Lord Skrilla, which repeatedly references 67th Street. The meme was further popularized on TikTok when a young boy, now known as the “67 Kid,” went viral for shouting “67!” at a youth basketball game. This helped solidify its connection to other cultural references, including NBA star LaMelo Ball and rising basketball player Taylen Kinney.
Whether Vance will take any serious steps towards implementing a ban remains uncertain. For the moment, the ‘6-7’ meme continues to thrive across social media, leaving parents, politicians, and cultural commentators grappling for understanding.
