Police debunk viral Cat in the Hat AI hoax

A viral social media trend featuring AI-generated images of a sinister-looking Cat in the Hat has alarmed teenagers across the UK and Ireland, prompting police forces to publicly debunk false claims of real-life sightings. The trend, which began in late June 2026, has spread widely on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, showing the Dr. Seuss character lurking in residential areas and convincing some young people that the figure is real. The phenomenon can be traced to a TikTok post on June 30, 2026, which paired footage from the 2003 film starring Mike Myers with ominous music.