A viral trend on TikTok featuring the Cat in the Hat character has inspired a wave of playful fake videos, but some parents say the clips are causing real fear among young children.
Many of the videos are edited or AI-generated to look like home security or doorbell footage, appearing to show a tall figure in the character's striped hat lurking outside houses.
Creators have embraced the format as harmless comedy, and users compete to produce the most convincing version. Some versions use sound effects and slow camera movements to make the scenes appear more unsettling.
“Young children don't always have the tools to tell a clever edit from something that really happened.”
However, some parents report that children who come across the videos believe them to be real, leading to nightmares and reluctance to sleep alone.
“Young children don't always have the tools to tell a clever edit from something that really happened,” said one child psychologist.
Online safety campaigners say the trend shows how realistic fake footage has become, and how quickly it can reach audiences it was never intended for.
Social media platforms generally require AI-generated content to be labelled, although enforcement can be inconsistent when clips are re-shared.
Teachers in some areas have reported pupils discussing the videos in class, with younger children asking whether the figure could visit their homes. Some schools have reassured parents and pupils that the clips are not real.
Experts recommend that parents talk to children about how videos can be faked and use parental controls to limit what younger users see.
The trend may fade as quickly as it arrived, but campaigners say it is a reminder of the need for stronger digital literacy in families.
