The teens, all males 17 and 16, were charged with aggravated battery, criminal damage to property and mob action. Some allegedly took inspiration for the crimes from social media.

Summary

Eleven Illinois teens face felony charges after allegedly luring two men via dating apps and assaulting them last July.

Inspired by a viral social media trend, the teens attacked a 41-year-old and a 23-year-old in separate incidents, damaging vehicles and using slurs in one case, resulting in hate crime charges for one teen.

All suspects turned themselves in and were detained at a juvenile center.

Police urge parents to discuss the dangers of social media trends with their children to prevent such incidents.

  • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
    11·
    4 months ago

    Social media is a factor. Unmoderated content encouraging violence results in events like these.

    • AbidanYre@lemmy.worldEnglish
      33·
      4 months ago

      Is it though? That kind of sounds like the next iteration of blaming movies/video games/d&d/whatever the latest crazy is.

      • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
        23·
        4 months ago

        This one has scientific backing. Just Google any combination of terms and you’ll find studies showing harm.