The Cat in the Hat is a children’s book and movie character. Not a violent school threat – no matter what goes around on social media.
The latest social media trend is sending threatening, creepy, or otherwise scary looking AI-altered images of the Cat in the Hat along with a message threatening to come after certain schools or, in some cases, individuals. This trend has been seen in various locations around the country. Local, state, and federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, are aware of this trend and monitoring it closely.
The Coffee County School System is also aware and released a statement Monday night regarding this new trend. A portion of the statement follows:
“We want our parents to be aware in case your child happens to see one of these posts on social media or comes across it elsewhere online. If your child does mention it, please feel free to talk with them about what they have seen and reassure them that the adults at school are aware and are taking appropriate precautions.
“Our school security personnel are remaining vigilant regarding the safety of our students and staff. We will continue to monitor the situation and respond appropriately to any legitimate concerns.
“Thank you for partnering with us and for helping us maintain a calm and safe environment for our students. We want to keep you informed without creating unnecessary fear, and we hope this clarification helps provide some peace of mind.”
