For Immediate Release:

 

PITTSBURGH, PA – October 17, 2025 – Carnegie Learning, a global leader in AI-driven technology, curriculum, and professional learning solutions for K-12 education announced today that it will permanently remove the numbers 6 and 7 from all math curricula effective immediately. The decision follows what experts inside the company have deemed “an alarming rise in the social and cognitive risks associated with the so-called ‘6 7 meme.’” 

As part of its Numerical Safety Initiative, Carnegie Learning will issue a “Safe Digits Mode” for schools, automatically replacing the numbers 6 and 7 with emoji placeholders.  

The viral phrase “6 7” has swept through youth culture in recent months, with students blurting it out in classrooms without explanation. Carnegie Learning’s researchers have found that repeated exposure to “6 7” correlates strongly with extreme giggling and classroom disruptions that lead to lower academic productivity – and also record drops in teacher sanity.

“Ever since that '6 7' meme became a thing, my classroom has never been the same,” said one seventh grade math teacher. “Lessons derail the second those numbers appear – students are laughing, quoting the meme with that ridiculous hand movement, completely losing it. I even hear it in my nightmares now. Honestly, I can’t see a 6 or 7 without shuddering.”

Dr. Steve Ritter, Carnegie Learning’s Chief Scientist, elaborated on the data: “We ran thousands of simulations in our MATHia® platform. Every time a problem contained both 6 and 7, engagement and focus dropped catastrophically. The AI itself began refusing to calculate. Frankly, it was spooky."

Students are already reacting to the change. “My brother said if you say '6 7' in the mirror three times your iPad explodes,” explained five-year-old Dylan, clutching a juice box. “So I only count to 5 now. Safer.”

The company emphasized that this is not a decision taken lightly.  “Our curriculum will still teach essential concepts like multiplication, fractions, and proportional reasoning—just without the problematic integers,” said Malkin.

Editor’s Note: This release is for entertainment purposes only and is part of Carnegie Learning’s ongoing celebration of learning powered by play.