Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds About Why Scary Social Media Trends Frighten Teenagers

From creepy AI-generated images to frightening videos that spread across social media, it can sometimes be difficult to know what's real and what's been created to scare us.

I was recently invited back to BBC Radio Leeds to speak with presenter David Dixon about a viral social media trend involving The Cat in the Hat and why these types of images can be particularly frightening for young people.

The Cat in the Hat Social Media Trend

The trend, which has appeared on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, features unsettling images of the familiar Dr Seuss character lurking outside homes and wandering through dark neighbourhood streets.

Some images are AI-generated or digitally edited to make it look as though the character has been spotted on real streets, driveways and doorbell cameras across the UK and Ireland.

The images have frightened some young people and teenagers, with police having to reassure people that the reported sightings were fake.

Why Can These Trends Feel So Frightening?

During the interview, David and I discussed the psychology behind being scared and why teenagers in particular can be affected by frightening content shared online.

When something appears in a familiar setting, such as a street or outside someone's home, it can feel much more believable than a scene from a horror film.

And with social media allowing images and videos to spread so quickly, it isn't always easy for young people to separate what's real from what's been digitally created.

We also talked about how parents and carers can help young people navigate these experiences, particularly when something they've seen online has left them feeling frightened or unsettled.

Supporting Young People in a Digital World

Social media is a big part of many young people's lives, and trends like this are another reminder of how important it is to keep conversations about online experiences open.

If a young person is frightened by something they've seen, taking their concerns seriously and giving them space to talk about it can help them feel heard and supported.

It was lovely to be invited back to BBC Radio Leeds to explore this topic and the wider psychology of why we experience fear.

Listen to the interview

If you're concerned about how social media, anxiety or online experiences are affecting your child, I offer counselling for young people aged 11+ in Leeds and online.

Find out more about counselling for young people.