On the face of it the 6-7 meme doesn’t make any sense, but Tabitha Heathcote says that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing for Christian families
At the moment, you may or may not have notice all over the country, children and young people are suddenly bursting into uncontrollable laughter because someone moved their hands up and down or said “6” and “7” too close together. The kids can’t explain why they do it, or why it is so funny, but they love doing it. Is this just frivolous nonsense? Something more sinister? Or something to be embraced as a source of joy – even if it is a bit random!
As Christian parents we rightly want to protect our children from the world, and we often fear things that we don’t understand. Instead of helping children to understand what it means to live in the world but not of the world, we pull them away from the world to ‘protect them’. But God also wants us to rejoice in life and find him and his joy in all things. So how can we as Christian parents use what the world offers and turn it into moments of joy with God and each other?
The 6-7 trend is a good example of an opportunity to enter the world with laughter and joy
Proverbs 15:30 says: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a persons strength” (NLT). The 6-7 trend is a good example of an opportunity to enter the world with laughter and joy.
Proverbs 4:7 says: “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” As parents, teachers and leaders, we are entrusted with the responsibility to guide young hearts, not by shutting down their laughter, but by asking good questions, encouraging reflection, and to grow to be Christlike, to imitate to which brings life.
It is good practice at home to keep open conversations about the ‘trends of the world’ and make sure you are asking like: “Why are you saying that?” “Do you know what it means?” “How does it make others feel?” Even if the answer is just, “I don’t know”, the conversation is important, and questions bring awareness. Awareness is key! Especially with viral trends that come from somewhere on the internet, where original contexts can be easily lost or misunderstood.
Where did the 6-7 trend come from?
I am sure search engines are getting tired of answering this question!
The ‘6-7’ trend seems to trace back to a section of a rap song called Doot Doot (6-7) by Skrilla. Originally, the clip was used in basketball circles, joking about NBA star LaMelo Ball’s height (6 feet 7 inches). But as is the way with memes, the context was quickly lost as it went viral.
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The up and down hand gesture comes from a now-iconic video of a kid yelling “6-7!” at a basketball game while moving his hands in that familiar up-down motion. He is now known as the 67 Kid. The 6-7 hand combination has since sparked a wildfire of laughter and imitation. Now it is everywhere, even amongst those who have never seen it, and know nothing of the context.
Why has it caught on?
Why does any meme catch? How long is a ball of string? What came first, the chicken or the egg? It is one of those unanswerable questions. But when I first saw the 67 kid clip, my conclusion was: “because joy is contagious!” Joy and laughter are God-given gifts that restore and uplift the soul.
Even something as silly as a meme can be a vehicle for the joy of the God!
The rising generations live in a world full of pressures, mental health challenges, instabilities and uncertainties, and a lot of negative digital noise. Is it any wonder that when a moment of pure excitement and joy is shown in an online video, it spreads like wildfire? Even something as silly as a meme can be a vehicle for the joy of the God! In most cases the 6-7 trend means nothing! But it is simple, silly shared laugher. Now that has true value!
Is there any harm in it?
Generally, no. Once you step off the screen into shared laughter, it’s pretty harmless. In fact, there is plenty of good in it. Childhood should be about laughter and joy, as well as learning. The Bible tells us hundreds of times the importance of joy, and rejoicing.
Through silly tends like this we can engage with children in their world and share genuine belly laughter without worrying about hidden messages
Not every meme has a deep message, and some are pure nonsense, but sometimes the nonsense ones are often the best kind. Through silly tends like this we can engage with children in their world and share genuine belly laughter without worrying about hidden messages.
Laughter is not a distraction from spiritual life, with good laughter brings joy, God is a joyful God, and joy is a gift and fruit of the Spirit. Each day is “the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NLT)
Memes and trends like 67 may not last long, but the opportunity they bring is timeless: To enter into children’s joy, to build relationships, and to reflect the love and laughter of a God who delights in His creation. So let us “Rejoice with those who rejoice…” (Romans 12:15).
