Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) are alerting families and school officials to a new online trend that is unsettling students across the city and neighboring Oldham County. The trend involves short videos that portray a distorted, frightening version of the classic children’s book character, the Cat in the Hat. The clips appear to be created with artificial‑intelligence tools and are being distributed through social‑media platforms such as Snapchat.
What the police have found
According to a statement from LMPD’s Homeland Security Unit, the videos are not tied to any real‑world threat. In every documented case, law‑enforcement investigators have determined the content to be fabricated, posted by anonymous accounts that use AI‑generated imagery to provoke fear. The videos do not contain any evidence of planned violence or actual criminal activity.
School response
Oldham County Schools issued a notice to parents confirming that some students have received the videos through Snapchat. The district’s communication urged families to discuss the material with their children, reassure them that the images are fictional, and report any further disturbing messages to school administrators.
Louisville public schools are taking similar steps. Administrators are working closely with LMPD to monitor the situation, review any reported incidents, and provide guidance to teachers on how to address student concerns in the classroom.
How parents can help
Police are encouraging parents, students and school staff to remain vigilant. Any concerning messages, whether they appear on Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram or other platforms, should be reported promptly to school officials or directly to law‑enforcement. LMPD assures the community that it will continue to assess any new information and respond appropriately.
The department also reminded families that the best defense against online misinformation is open communication. Parents are urged to talk with their children about the nature of AI‑generated media, the importance of verifying sources, and the steps to take if they encounter unsettling content.
Looking ahead
LMPD’s Homeland Security Unit will keep working with school districts to trace the origin of the videos and to educate students about digital safety. While the current threat appears to be limited to online scare tactics, officials say they remain prepared to act swiftly should any genuine safety concerns arise.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
