Police in Arizona have warned parents after a viral social media trend featuring AI-generated images and videos of the Cat in the Hat was referenced by pupils at schools in Holbrook.
The Holbrook Police Department said an investigation had uncovered references to the trend among students. Officers stressed that there was no credible threat to the district or its pupils.
The online posts show a digitally altered figure resembling the character from the Dr Seuss books, sometimes portrayed in the costume worn by Mike Myers in the 2003 film. The images and videos are often placed outside schools, homes or other local landmarks and accompanied by threatening messages.
Some teenagers have reposted the material to make it appear that the character has been seen near a particular school or neighbourhood. Police forces and school authorities across the United States have been investigating similar posts, with more than 10 juveniles reportedly arrested in connection with threats linked to the trend.
Authorities have warned that describing a post as a joke, or claiming it was created anonymously or with artificial intelligence, will not prevent an investigation. Digital records, social media metadata, mobile phones and other devices can be used to trace the origin of threatening content.
Arizona police warn parents over Cat in the Hat posts
Holbrook police said online threats are treated seriously, even when the person responsible claims not to have intended them to be taken literally. Those who create or share the posts could face school disciplinary action or criminal charges.
“We encourage parents to talk with their children about responsible social media use and the potential dangers of online trends,” the department said. “Remind children that content shared online may be altered, AI-generated, or misleading.”
Police urged anyone who sees suspicious or threatening material targeting local schools to report it immediately to the Holbrook Police Department on 928-524-3991 or by email at pdadmin@holbrookaz.gov.
