What parents should know about the 'Cat in the Hat' social media trend prompting school warnings
A disturbing social media trend featuring a sinister version of the beloved children's book character the Cat in the Hat is prompting warnings from schools and law enforcement agencies across the country, with officials urging students and parents not to share the posts and to report concerning content instead.
The so-called "Cat in the Hat" trend includes videos and images depicting the Dr. Seuss character appearing to lurk outside homes, schools, and other locations, often at night. Some of the content appears to be generated using artificial intelligence.
While many of the posts may be intended as a prank or hoax, officials say the trend has become more concerning as some posts have named specific schools, communities, or students and included threatening language.
In Grand Junction, Colorado, a high school student was arrested Monday after allegedly making a post connected to the trend, according to the Grand Junction Police Department.
Police said they were alerted Friday to a social media post suggesting someone dressed as the Cat in the Hat would appear at West Middle School and other locations in the area.
"The posts are intended to cause alarm and fear in individuals," the department wrote in a news release.
Out of an abundance of caution, the department said it increased its presence at West Middle School and Grand Junction High School on Friday. Police and school security personnel ultimately determined there was no credible threat to students, staff or the community, the department said.
On Monday, the department identified a suspect in connection with the social media post, a 14-year-old Grand Junction High School student. The teen was taken into custody on suspicion of interference with staff, faculty or students of educational institutions and harassment before being released to his parents, police said.
What is the 'Cat in the Hat' trend?
Videos tied to the trend have circulated on social media showing an ominous version of the Cat in the Hat supposedly captured by security cameras or walking through neighborhoods.
Some posts include vague warnings that the character is headed to a particular town or school, while others are more specific, according to authorities.
The Tennessee Office of Homeland Security's Threat Assessment Center said it was tracking the trend after posts began targeting students in the state.
"Our Threat Assessment Center is tracking the 'Cat in the Hat' trend targeting Tennessee schools and students," the agency said in a post on X, describing the content as featuring "unsettling AI-generated videos and images."
Officials said some posts have included specific locations or lists of names and communities, while others have contained threatening statements suggesting the character is "coming for" particular people.
Schools in Arkansas have also been affected. Officials in Carlisle and Pocahontas have responded to AI-generated videos connected to the trend, including a post involving Carlisle students that school officials said could be interpreted as containing violent threats, according to ABC Little Rock affiliate KATV.
Law enforcement agencies elsewhere are similarly urging families to take the posts seriously enough to report them without helping them spread.
The Louisville Metro Police Department said it had not identified any credible threats connected to the trend so far but was continuing to investigate reports.
"Our Homeland Security Unit is actively reviewing information related to these incidents, working with school administrators, and investigating the origin of any posts that may be causing alarm. We encourage students, parents, and school staff to report any concerning messages or behavior to school officials or law enforcement," the department wrote in a Facebook post.
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