# Public told not to believe viral ‘Cat in the Hat’ social media posts > Source: > Published: 2026-08-24 10:49:04+00:00 # Public told not to believe viral ‘Cat in the Hat’ social media posts - Police forces across the UK and Ireland have responded to a viral social media craze featuring AI-generated images and videos of Dr Seuss' Cat in the Hat. - Mocked-up posts on platforms including TikTok, Facebook and X falsely claim the character has been spotted crouching on cars and peering into windows in various towns. - South Yorkshire Police debunked a fake statement circulating online that claimed officers were investigating sightings, urging the public not to believe social media rumours. - An Garda Síochána in Ireland also reassured the public that the character is merely an AI prompt, following reports that the posts had frightened some teenagers. - The viral craze comes as ministers call on social media platforms to remove dangerous content related to a separate trend involving wrong-way driving.