Questions have started to arise about a particular issue that’s going on in VA. Where have all the children gone, and why has the state police kept quiet until now? Throughout the media, hundreds of videos have resurfaced about a “serial kidnapper” roaming around VA. On trending apps like Tiktok and Instagram, most videos that you’ll see on this issue can be titled: “Mass kidnapper in VA” or “80 Kids kidnapped in 12 days”. Similar videos like these have gained attention from different audiences, which has resulted in a lot of misinformation being thrown around. No one truly knows what’s going on– And although there have been newly released statements by the VA state police, people can’t help but wonder who’s really telling the truth. 

Different conspiracies surrounding this issue have been the main catalyst for the public’s involvement. Whether or not a mysterious ice cream truck or a secret government agent is at fault for all of this, most people start to believe almost anything. It’s not hard to be easily influenced by something in your life, which is why a lot of people can be persuaded by misinformation. For instance, the public concluded that 100 kids had disappeared, although only 88 kids were reported to the Missing Children Clearinghouse (MCC) since August 1-9, 2025. In VA state law, there must be certain criteria met for the police to issue either an AMBER alert or CODI alert. According to the VSP, missing child cases close in the span of 24-48 hours and only 4% of those cases in VA are still ongoing. As for the far-fetched theories though, most of these videos are made to attract more views for content purposes only. The VA State police tackle missing child cases all the time, so a “Mass Kidnapping Event” would be the first thing on their radar. It’s encouraged to speak out on a topic that no one may be covering, but it can be very damaging to real victims when misinformation is being spread. 

If there’s ever a situation where you feel threatened for your own safety, you’ll need to be prepared for what could happen. The world is terrifying– and unfortunately there’s a lot of dangerous people who prey on the vulnerable. But luckily, there are things that you can do in these situations. In an article by MetroParent, they talk about watching out for your surroundings; specifically sticking with a group of people. Most threats are going to have a difficult time taking you if there are people by your side. That’s why it’s crucial to be with at least two or more people who you feel comfortable with. It’s also important to have your phone or some sort of communication device on your person– like a tracker or tag. On Apple and Android products, there’s an SOS option found on your phone, as well as a “Find my location” option too. Knowing self-defense is very helpful and can even save your life in dire circumstances. Divas For Defense (DFD) recommends for kids to figure out the basics like: keeping your thumb over your fists when punching or even using your size as an advantage. It’s always good to not only keep these things in mind, but to start practicing them every so often.

Now that the “Massive Kidnapping” rumors have been debunked, it’s imperative that people stop misinterpreting information that’s been put out in the media. If the creator isn’t directly using a source or is using strange theories to further prove their point, it’s most likely inaccurate. Instead of looking at popular social media sites, find real sources like the News or other credible organizations. It’s far too damaging to consume false media and when thousands of people post videos that target a problematic issue, it’s automatically going to get a viewer’s attention. When we finally notice these trends, we can start directing our eyes to other issues. There’s a lot of things going on in the world that more individuals should focus on, instead of paying any mind to fake content. But we can always be in control of what we choose to consume and what we don’t.