Gen Alpha's "6-7" Phenomenon: A Lingo That's More Frustration Than Fascination
For many parents, the term '6-7' has become an all-too-familiar source of exasperation. Dictionary.com's 2025 Word of the Year is a nonsensical duo of numbers that seems to have taken on a life of its own among Gen Alpha kids. Whether it's paired with "six-seven" or just uttered as a standalone phrase, '6-7' has become a sort of online shorthand for "I'm part of this generation, and I don't care what you think."
Those who aren't familiar with the term might wonder why its use is so widespread among kids. According to Steve Johnson, director of lexicography for Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning, '6-7' has become a way for young people to signal their membership in this particular peer group. It's an "in-group joke" that serves as a middle finger to polite society.
While some parents might be relieved that the term has been banned from school classrooms, others are finding themselves at odds with the very kids they're trying to discipline. After all, what's the point of telling children not to use '6-7' if it simply means "I'm going to say something annoying just to see how you react"?
The answer lies in a parent's approach to setting boundaries and explaining their reasoning. Rather than trying to banish '6-7' altogether, some parents are choosing to engage with their kids on this front. By embracing the term and using it themselves, they're teaching their children that there's more to life than just following rules.
Dave Schilling, a Los Angeles-based writer and humorist, has taken this approach to heart. At his house, he says '6-7' out loud whenever possible. He suggests "6-7" themed birthday parties and even occasionally writes it on the walls in water-soluble ink. The key takeaway? Stop fighting '6-7' and start understanding its significance – or lack thereof.
While some may see this approach as juvenile, others will appreciate Schilling's willingness to poke fun at himself and accept that his kids are going to use their lingo. After all, isn't the point of parenting to prepare your children for the real world? In that case, embracing '6-7' – in all its annoying glory – might just be the best way to teach your kids about the importance of communication and understanding.
So next time you find yourself at war with your Gen Alpha kid over "6-7," take a deep breath and remember: it's not the end of the world. It's just '6-7'. And who knows, maybe one day your child will be telling you to "suck it" because they've learned how to express themselves in a way that's both relatable and frustrating all at once.
For many parents, the term '6-7' has become an all-too-familiar source of exasperation. Dictionary.com's 2025 Word of the Year is a nonsensical duo of numbers that seems to have taken on a life of its own among Gen Alpha kids. Whether it's paired with "six-seven" or just uttered as a standalone phrase, '6-7' has become a sort of online shorthand for "I'm part of this generation, and I don't care what you think."
Those who aren't familiar with the term might wonder why its use is so widespread among kids. According to Steve Johnson, director of lexicography for Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning, '6-7' has become a way for young people to signal their membership in this particular peer group. It's an "in-group joke" that serves as a middle finger to polite society.
While some parents might be relieved that the term has been banned from school classrooms, others are finding themselves at odds with the very kids they're trying to discipline. After all, what's the point of telling children not to use '6-7' if it simply means "I'm going to say something annoying just to see how you react"?
The answer lies in a parent's approach to setting boundaries and explaining their reasoning. Rather than trying to banish '6-7' altogether, some parents are choosing to engage with their kids on this front. By embracing the term and using it themselves, they're teaching their children that there's more to life than just following rules.
Dave Schilling, a Los Angeles-based writer and humorist, has taken this approach to heart. At his house, he says '6-7' out loud whenever possible. He suggests "6-7" themed birthday parties and even occasionally writes it on the walls in water-soluble ink. The key takeaway? Stop fighting '6-7' and start understanding its significance – or lack thereof.
While some may see this approach as juvenile, others will appreciate Schilling's willingness to poke fun at himself and accept that his kids are going to use their lingo. After all, isn't the point of parenting to prepare your children for the real world? In that case, embracing '6-7' – in all its annoying glory – might just be the best way to teach your kids about the importance of communication and understanding.
So next time you find yourself at war with your Gen Alpha kid over "6-7," take a deep breath and remember: it's not the end of the world. It's just '6-7'. And who knows, maybe one day your child will be telling you to "suck it" because they've learned how to express themselves in a way that's both relatable and frustrating all at once.
Parents are so extra about the "6-7" thing... can't just let kids be! 
. It's like, parents are so obsessed with trying to shut down their kids' slang, but honestly, it's just part of growing up 
. I mean, what's the harm? It's not like they're using profanity or anything (although, tbh, that would be kind of funny too 
). My kid uses 6-7 all the time and I'm still standing 
. Like, I've even started saying it myself just to see how they react 
. It's actually kind of cute when they call me out on it 
. So, no, I won't be banning 6-7 from our house anytime soon 
. Bring on the 6-7 parties and water-soluble ink walls 
!
! Can't they just put the quotes in a separate block or something? And what's with all these long paragraphs?! It's like reading a novel instead of an online article 
. It shows that you can acknowledge and laugh at your kid's weirdness instead of getting all frustrated. And honestly, who hasn't used a lingo that they think is gonna make 'em sound edgy but really just comes across as try-hard? 
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. By embracing the nonsensical nature of the term, kids are essentially poking fun at the idea that language needs to be "proper" or "respectful." It's a clever way for them to assert their individuality and create their own in-group jokes 
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I'm not sure if 6-7 is the most frustrating thing ever, but some parents are just going crazy about it 
. Maybe it'll become a fun little inside joke among Gen Alpha kids, and we can all learn to appreciate its significance (or lack thereof) 
I think the term '6-7' has become a symbol of Gen Alpha kids wanting more freedom in their online interactions 
. It's not just about being annoying, but also about asserting themselves and being part of a group that doesn't take things too seriously 
. By embracing '6-7' in a lighthearted way, we can actually help our kids develop important life skills like understanding nuance and expressing themselves effectively 
. I mean, if you can't handle '6-7', maybe you should be talking to a slightly different crowd 
. Instead of trying to stifle their creativity (or annoyance 
. Embracing the term and using it themselves is actually a pretty clever way for parents to show their kids that there's more to communication than just following rules 
It's all about finding that balance between being cool with what your kid is going through and not completely losing it 
#GenAlpha #Lingo #ParentingTips