A “szon patrol” trend, where young men film and share videos of women in allegedly provocative clothing, has generated 15 million engagement points across Poland in just two weeks.
Rallying the Warning
Recently identified by social media influencers Kinga Szostko and Wojtek Kardysz, the trend involves young men wearing reflective vests with a vulgar slur “szon.” Coined as an acronym for “czkawka szponiasta,” the trend has raised concerns about its potential to radicalize young boys and risk mental health deterioration in adolescents.
Sephora effect, fast-spreading
Social media acts as an accelerator for trends, noted Tomasz Lubieniecki of the Institute for Media Monitoring. What would have remained local to a single school or neighborhood a few years ago is now a nationwide trend due to rapid escalation facilitated by online rivalry for attention.
Current State & Reactions
The trend initially came to light through engaged influencers: presidents of Prospoleczna.org and KidsAlert app creator Kinga Szostko, and social media expert Wojtek Kardysz. They noticed that the scale of hate leading to potential health deterioration among teenagers, along with radicalization of young boys, are some of the dangers associated with the new trend.
