The social credit meme grew online in the late 2010s and early 2020s as a satirical take on China's social credit system, which Western internet users exaggerated into a running joke where every action earns or loses points. Short clips awarding or deducting points spread through TikTok, YouTube Shorts and gaming communities, often paired with stereotypical music or captions. The plus ten version became shorthand for exaggerated loyalty or compliance, and it remains popular because the format is instantly understood without explanation, even by viewers who only know the meme second hand.