Reportedly started last week by a high school student in Louisville, Kentucky, rumor of a real-life ‘purge’ has begun to circulate through social media across the country causing feeling of insecurity and anxiety within many individuals.

Based on the horror movies “The Purge” and the “The Purge: Anarchy”, in which all crime is legal for twelve hours, ‘purge’ copy-cats have been rumored to have plans to recreate the criminal acts that have been showcased on the big screen.

“No criminal incidents connected with these rumors appear to have been reported in any areas where the claims have circulated,” according to Scopes: Rumor Has It.

Although the act has been deemed a hoax, should social media be taking threats like this more seriously than they currently are?

“Situations like these happen all the time, but the government can’t take away someone’s right to say what they want on social media,” senior Ashlyn Bean said.

Despite the existence of the freedom of speech, others feel that social media should indeed deal with situations like this in different manor.

“Social media should just take threats like these more seriously instead of brushing them off as nothing because they grow into problems like this and it’s hard to control,” senior Connor Labedz said.

Not only have these threats been causing chaos on social media, but also in other aspects of various cities.

Sporting events have been postponed, police officers have been heavily increased, and citizens of the various cities have been notified to remain in their homes as much as possible.

Due to the many inconveniences caused by this on-going hoax, citizens have been hoping for it to be put to an end; however, future of the hoax is unsure.

By Emily Rodriguez