Social media is a powerful space where people can express themselves and influence others with ease. Young children and teens make up a large portion of the audience on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The Dougherty Dozen is one viral family that has taken the internet by storm across multiple platforms, and it has made a noticeable impact on students at Edison Intermediate School (EIS).
The Dougherty Dozen has gathered quite an audience within EIS. When asked about his typical viewership of the social media family, eighth grader Sawyer Daniels replied, “About 200 times a day.” He clearly appreciates what the Dougherty Dozen brings to social media. In addition, seventh grader Nick Commandatore stated, “I watch them about four times a day.”
The family lives a very interesting lifestyle. Being one child out of eleven must be extremely chaotic. Students at EIS have imagined what life would be like in a household that large. Eighth grader Malcolm Shaefer thinks it would be “a train wreck.” Seventh grader Zach Bushinger added, “I would hate it.”
While there can be many downsides to having an abundance of siblings, some EIS students are able to see the positives. Sawyer Daniels mentioned, “I think it would be chaotic but also fun.” There would undoubtedly never be a dull moment in a household like that. Nick Commandatore also added, “You would never be bored.”
Although the household is chaotic more often than not, the mother of the family, Alicia Dougherty, never fails to entertain her fans. While appearing on a FOX 5 news program, Alicia revealed how much she typically spends on groceries each week. She shared that the family spends about $1,200 a week on groceries, relies on quick meals like taco bars, and repurposes leftovers to reduce food waste. With all of these groceries, she is able to record videos of herself packing school lunches or preparing breakfast for the day. The New York family has 7.5 million TikTok followers and posts daily videos about life with their four biological children and seven foster or adopted children.
Her content is now her full-time job. However, that was not always the case. Before she and her family rose to fame, she had a traditional job like many others. Parents Alicia and Josh Dougherty have seven adopted children and four biological children. The first adopted child, Alex Dougherty, also known as “Big Red,” has gained significant popularity on social media in recent months.
Alex Dougherty’s signature dance, the E85, has contributed to his social media success. E85 is a popular Don Toliver song released on January 30, 2026, which has become closely associated with his videos. The main content he posts features him dancing to the song with celebrities, fans, or family members.
Seventh grade student Cameron Fenton explained why he enjoys watching Big Red’s videos so much, saying, “It makes me listen to more Don Toliver music.” This is also the case for other students at EIS and across the country.
Overall, the Dougherty Dozen and Big Red in particular have impacted EIS and young viewers around the world in a positive way. The entire family will continue to create content and put smiles on the faces of many.
