A Dr. Seuss-themed social media trend is prompting concerns among school districts in Northeast Arkansas, with one teenager in Kansas now facing criminal charges.
The trend involves sharing images and videos of schools alongside ominous captions and an altered version of 'The Cat in the Hat,' a popular character created by Dr. Seuss. One widely circulated video included the statement, “Who’s my first victim?” and attracted over 43,000 views.
Law enforcement believes the images are generated artificially, but that has not deterred some teenagers from engaging, leading to legal and disciplinary consequences.
The Hutchinson Police Department in Kansas announced Tuesday on Facebook that a 15-year-old student at Hutchinson High School had been charged with two counts of criminal threatening. An investigation revealed the teen created a TikTok account specifically linked to the 'Cat in the Hat' trend in the local area, police stated.
In Northeast Arkansas, Brookland School District became aware of a video tied to the trend that referenced Brookland schools. Superintendent George Kennedy explained that no specific threats were identified during a review conducted by school security and administration.
“We just need to function as normal, keep our eyes open, and we’ll be alright,” Kennedy said.
Several area school districts have taken to social media to warn about the trend, urging vigilance as it continues to spread. Officials encourage students and families to report any concerning activity to authorities.