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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. A Colorado teen was arrested Monday as educators and authorities nationwide have warned about a viral "Cat in the Hat" social media trend featuring photos or videos of the iconic Dr. Seuss character lurking on streets or outside buildings.
The posts often come with ominous messages or veiled threats.
"On my way to Kentucky next, be looking out," a caption reads on one recent TikTok video depicting someone dressed as the feline character.
Dozens of videos on TikTok and other platforms early Tuesday show users dressed as the tall, black-and-white cat first featured in the classic 1957 book. In these videos, users can be seen lurking outside of windows, homes or along isolated highways. Some of the content appears to be AI-generated, and some clips have led to arrests.
The viral phenomenon that has prompted responses from schools and authorities from Texas to Michigan to Colorado originated last month on Snapchat and later spread on X in a viral post with more than 10 million views, BBC reported.
The trend then took off on other platforms, including TikTok, where some videos have depicted the character as a "serial killer" or someone who appears to want to cause widespread alarm.
The trend is similar to another in 2016, when "killer clown" posts took off in some sections of social media. Some of that content warned of characters aiming to terrorize towns or schools, with threats sent to Jeffco Public Schools and Adams 12 Five Star Schools, the Denver Post reported.
Two students were arrested in 2016 in Greeley, Colorado, after alleging that a killer clown would carry out attacks on Halloween. Prosecutors at the time said anyone posting similar content could face similar criminal charges, the Post reported.
A teenager in Colorado was arrested Monday after allegedly jumping in on the viral trend by implying someone dressed as the "Cat in the Hat" character would appear outside a middle school and residential homes.
"The posts are intended to cause alarm and fear in individuals," the Grand Junction Police Department said of the arrest in a statement.
Investigators learned of the post on Friday and increased law enforcement presence at West Middle School and Grand Junction High School "out of an abundance of caution," police said.
No credible threat to students or staff was identified, but police arrested a 14-year-old student from Grand Junction High School on charges of harassment and interference with staff, faculty or students of educational institutions. The teen, who was not publicly identified, was released into the custody of his parents following Monday's arrest.
"GJPD takes reports involving school safety seriously and will continue working closely with our community partners to prioritize the safety and security of our students, staff, and schools," department officials said. "We urge students and community members to make reports to law enforcement or school personnel when they see or hear about something that sounds suspicious."
The viral posts have also prompted responses from officials in Texas, Michigan and Oklahoma, where authorities have warned teens not to join the trend.
Police in Laredo acknowledged the social media fad in a lengthy statement Monday.
"We want to remind our community, particularly students and parents, that threatening posts are not a joke," department officials said. "Any social media post, message, image, or other communication that contains a threat or causes fear or alarm within our schools or community will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated."
Anyone who participates by posting threatening content could face criminal charges, Laredo police said.
"Before you post, think about the consequences," police said. "A few seconds on social media can result in a police investigation, school disciplinary action, and potentially serious criminal consequences."
Several other school districts in Texas, including Three Rivers Independent School District and Mathis Independent School District, have reportedly increased law enforcement patrols following posts associated with the "Cat in the Hat" trend.
An investigation is also ongoing in Michigan after Constantine High School was placed under a precautionary lockdown on Friday after several social media accounts referencing the "Cat in the Hat" trend threatened specific students, the Baltimore Sun reported.
Elsewhere, school officials in Hugo, Oklahoma, announced on Sunday that staff were aware of a concerning Snapchat post featuring an image of a high school with a message directed toward students.
"Law enforcement has been notified and is working with district officials," Hugo Public Schools Superintendent Brandy Blalock said in a statement on Sunday. "Before students arrive tomorrow morning, law enforcement and school personnel will conduct a thorough sweep of the building and campus. We will also have an increased and visible police presence throughout the school day as an additional safety measure."
Police in Kentucky, meanwhile, took a playful approach to the viral trend on Monday while warning Louisville residents.
"The Cat in the Hat is all over the net, but here’s what we know from what we’ve seen yet," police wrote on Facebook. "No credible threat has come to our view, but we’re checking each tip to make sure that stays true. See something concerning? Here’s what you should do: Don’t share it—report it. We’ll take it from you."
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Geoffrey Rowland .
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