Kilkenny gardaí have confirmed to Gript that they are investigating a series of videos posted on Tiktok showing a young man threatening, hitting, and slapping what look like younger boys.
The incident allegedly took place in the Kilkenny/Carlow area.
In one video a boy reportedly just 13 years of age is seen being held up against a wall and slapped in the face amid verbal threats.
In another, what looks like the same attacker repeatedly hits a boy in the face while asking “What are you sorry for?” between blows, before saying “You’re never gonna do that?” and kicking the boy, who had got on his knees, in the face.
Gript Media previously reported on the rise of youth violent and antisocial behaviour, which is being widely shared on social media platforms.
Tiktok’s community guidelines prohibit “real-world physical violence, fighting, or torture” however the app is frequently used to share images of violent conduct.
Last month footage was shared on Dublife of an attack perpetrated by a gang of youths, including two small children. The incident began when one of the gang threw a ball at a pair of teenagers before launching into a full on assault. Towards the end an onlooker can be heard telling them to “Give it to her, she started it” referring to the teenage girl they had thrown the ball at.
— Dubs life (@dubslife1) May 25, 2022