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.

  • AbidanYre@lemmy.worldEnglish
    33·
    2 days ago

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

    • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
      23·
      6 months ago

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