The Dad Belt meme taps into a shared cultural experience of strict parental discipline, often used ironically or nostalgically in internet humor. The template typically features an image of a leather belt being held or unbuckled, symbolizing the moment a child realizes they are in trouble. It gained significant traction on platforms like TikTok and Twitter through 'POV' (Point of View) videos and image macros. While the subject matter stems from a traditional discipline method, the meme community uses it to dramatize minor mistakes or funny, relatable moments from childhood, turning a tense memory into a viral comedic format.