The April 24 TikTok Hoax: How a Fake Trend Sparked Real Fear

TikTok thrives on attention. But sometimes, attention snowballs into paranoia, and paranoia shapes a narrative far removed from reality.

That’s the story of April 24—a date that’s quietly etched itself into the darker corners of internet culture as a supposed “National Rape Day.”

There’s no humour here, no moral panic for the sake of drama. Just a viral ghost story that needs to be handled with clarity, context, and a refusal to let fiction dictate fear.

Let’s make one thing clear from the start: no verified evidence has ever surfaced to suggest April 24 was declared a “day of violence.” Yet the myth persists. Why?

Where Did the April 24 Hoax Begin?

The April 24 trend first surfaced around April 2021, when rumours circulated that six men had posted a TikTok encouraging others to commit sexual assault on that date.

@j2hundred #fyp #viral #foryou ♬ original sound – J2Hundred

The rumour caught fire faster than most users could verify it. Soon, videos warning people to stay inside racked up millions of views.

Hashtags like #April24 trended, filled with condemnations, cautionary tales, and survivor testimonies.

But here’s the catch: TikTok, along with investigative journalists and platforms like USA Today and Newsweek, never found the original video. Not once.

That didn’t stop users from reacting to the alleged threat with real fear—because the emotions it triggered, especially among survivors, were all too real.

A Fear-Fuelled Game of Chinese Whispers

While there’s no evidence of any criminal plan being broadcast on TikTok, there’s no denying the damage the rumour has caused. Dr. Lisa Lawless, a former rape crisis counsellor, explains that content like this can retrigger trauma.

It blurs the lines between perceived and actual threat, especially in digital environments where fear travels faster than fact.

And that’s the thing—on TikTok, who says something matters less than how many say it. The original post might not have existed, but the reaction to it was visceral and overwhelming.

People weren’t sharing the rumour to glorify it; they were warning their friends, mostly out of genuine concern.

But that concern, multiplied across millions of screens, became its own kind of crisis.

TikTok’s Response: Vigilant, But Not Alarmist

TikTok has repeatedly stated that it found no videos promoting April 24 as a day of violence.

A spokesperson told Newsweek and other outlets: “Keeping our community safe is our priority, and we do not tolerate content that promotes or glorifies non-consensual sexual acts including rape and sexual assault… our safety team is remaining vigilant.”

That vigilance extends to reporting mechanisms built directly into the platform.

Whether you’re using the app or a browser, users can report a video by holding or clicking on it, selecting “report,” and submitting a reason.

There’s even a form for flagging content that violates TikTok’s community standards.

This is especially important in an era where TikTok slang and lingo can shape how messages are interpreted—often spreading confusion just as quickly as entertainment.

What Makes April 24 So Triggering?

The reason this rumour gained traction isn’t just TikTok’s algorithm or teenage drama.

It’s because April is officially Sexual Assault Awareness Month—a time that’s meant for healing and education, not viral hoaxes.

The contrast between intention and internet folklore is what makes this so harmful.

And that’s not unlike the rise of “brainrot” slang, where users casually adopt extreme or unsettling language without fully grappling with the consequences.

To be blunt: it hijacks a month designed to support survivors and replaces it with a narrative built on fear. That’s not just distasteful. It’s dangerous.

What To Do If You See Harmful Content

If a video, hashtag, or comment triggers you or seems to promote violence:

On TikTok (App): Hold the video, tap “Report,” and follow the instructions.
On a Web Browser: Hover over the video’s options, click “Report,” and submit.
For Urgent Cases: If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call emergency services.