Swedish schools face threats from TikTok ‘Cat in the Hat’ trend

A threatening TikTok trend involving the character ‘Cat in the Hat’ has prompted police reports and increased security measures at several schools in Sweden. The trend utilizes AI-generated videos featuring the character alongside text that names specific schools, cities, and individuals, often accompanied by threats of violence.

In Strängnäs, schools including Strängnäs Montessori, Paulinska, and Asken have been targeted. At Strängnäs Montessori, preschool children were required to cancel outdoor activities as a precaution. While police have increased security measures, such as locking doors and providing adult supervision, officials currently do not assess the threats as being a direct, imminent reality.

Other investigations are underway in Södertälje, where a person reportedly threatened a school shooting, and in Nässjö, where police are reviewing a threat they currently deem false. Authorities and local municipalities have warned against spreading the content, noting that while much of the material is considered a hoax or ‘playing with boundaries,’ it causes significant distress and insecurity within the community.