AUSTIN (KXAN) In Texas, police have issued a warning to parents and teenagers regarding a social media trend involving AI-generated videos portraying “home invasions” and “disturbing messages” to “incite fear and panic.”
“These images are crafted to look authentic, frequently showing a homeless individual sitting on a couch, standing in a kitchen, or eating inside a house,” stated a news release by the Round Rock Police Department.
This trend has caused some parents to mistakenly call 911, fearing their children are in danger. According to the department, this has resulted in the improper use of police resources.
RRPD said its officers responded to two such calls last weekend. It said both calls turned out to be hoaxes.
Similar to swatting, the trend could lead to arrests for knowingly making a false report.
“Even though no harm occurred, making false reports such as these can monopolize emergency resources and delay responses to actual calls for service,” RRPD explained. “Parents and guardians are urged to discuss with their children the dangers and potential legal repercussions of engaging in misleading online activities.”
