Indiana Police’s “6-7” Ticket Stunt Sparks First Amendment Debate in Schools
Indiana – A recent social media campaign by teh Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) in Indiana, featuring officers issuing mock “tickets” to elementary school students for saying “6-7,” has ignited a debate over free speech and appropriate boundaries for law enforcement engagement in schools. The stunt references a viral classroom trend where students collectively respond with “6-7” whenever a teacher asks the sum of 6 + 7.
The TCSO posted a video on November 15, 2023, showcasing the officers playfully “penalizing” students for uttering the phrase. While intended as lighthearted fun referencing the classroom phenomenon, the action has drawn criticism from free speech advocates who argue it sends a problematic message about the First Amendment to young learners. Critics point to a moment in the video where an officer tells a young girl, “It is now against the law to use the words ‘six’ and ‘seven’ unless using them in a math problem or someone’s age,” as notably concerning.
The core of the controversy lies in whether the police action, even in jest, undermines understanding of essential rights. Experts note the First Amendment restricts government action regarding speech,and learning about its limitations – such as disruptions in a classroom setting – is a crucial part of civic education. Interrupting a teacher is not protected speech, but the incident raises questions about introducing law enforcement as arbiters of permissible expression, even in a playful context.
This incident arrives amid a broader national context of increasing restrictions on speech in schools and higher education. PEN America has documented a rise in attempts to limit what can be taught in classrooms, the detention of students for expressing their views, and the banning of books. Thes actions, advocates argue, represent a concerning erosion of academic freedom and the right to expression.
The “6-7” trend itself appears to be a form of youthful rebellion and shared inside joke, resonating with a sense of playful defiance.Though, the debate sparked by the TCSO’s response highlights the importance of educating young people about their rights and responsibilities as future stewards of democracy.
