Back to the card

This note comes from Mistlift, a plain-language guide for parents and educators to what kids are into online.

A note for families: Fake "school start postponed" rumour

Debunked Ages 11-17 Last checked August 31, 2026

What it is

AI-made TikTok videos, viewed hundreds of thousands of times, falsely claimed the French school start was postponed after a cyberattack, and fake "class list" sites are circulating alongside them.

How much it matters

A viral scare that isn’t real, or is badly overstated. A person checked this card before it was published.

Should you worry?

The rumour is false: the French education ministry says the school start is not postponed. The videos twist real administrative problems after a cyberattack and use AI tools to look credible, even citing news outlets misleadingly. The one thing worth a glance is fake sites that claim to reveal class lists in advance. They collect students' personal information and can set kids up for later scams. If your teen mentions such a site, remind them that school information comes only from the school or school service centre, and that they shouldn't enter names or other details on sites promising early lists.

What to say

“I saw a video going around saying school start got pushed back, and it turns out it's fake. Some of these are made with AI to look real, so I'm curious: how do you tell when something's legit? Also, if a site ever promises to show your class list early, check with me before you type anything in.”

Sources

Read the full card, and share it, at mistlift.app/cards/school-start-postponed-rumour