Dear Cherubs, let’s spill the tea on what happens when influence meets irresponsibility — and why educating your audience should be part of that deal. What looked like a goofy prank video by French influencer Amine Mojito turned into a courtroom drama that raised serious questions about the ripple effects of online stunts.

Paris hasn’t seen so much needle drama since someone lost the pharmacy keys. But in 2025, Amine Mojito, born Ilan M., filmed himself pretending to jab strangers on the streets of Paris with what appeared to be a syringe — and then posted those clips to Instagram and TikTok. What followed was a mix of viral fame, public fear, and, ultimately, legal consequences. boredpanda.com+1

At first glance, the pranks might have been meant to be “just for laughs.” But in the context of rising anxiety about syringe incidents at music festivals and public gatherings in France, many viewers interpreted the content as callous or even dangerous. In fact, reports earlier in the summer noted hundreds of alleged syringe incidents — though later investigation suggested none involved confirmed injections of harmful substances. Le Monde.fr

Mojito’s clips weren’t filmed in a vacuum. They tapped into a broader social concern, turning everyday pedestrians into unwilling participants in someone’s content experiment. According to court filings reported by multiple outlets, the Paris Criminal Court convicted him on charges of “violence with a weapon that did not result in incapacity for work” — even though the syringes were empty. The final sentence was 12 months, with six to be served in prison and the rest suspended, along with a fine and a three-year ban on owning or carrying weapons. boredpanda.com+1

This isn’t just a “tell-me-I’m-wrong” moment for prank culture. It’s a cautionary tale about how influence — like electricity — can power-up problems if it isn’t handled responsibly. People in the videos weren’t consenting participants; they were strangers minding their business. And the fear of being injected, even with a harmless prop, tapped into real anxieties for many. The Tab

The court seemed to agree that Mojito’s antics weren’t harmless fun. Prosecutors alleged that his videos may have encouraged others to emulate dangerous behavior. While that remains a matter of public debate, it points to a core responsibility every influencer — and every content creator — should acknowledge: the audience doesn’t just watch, they sometimes act. boredpanda.com

Two things stand out here in terms of education. First, creators should be clear about the risks of whatever they’re showcasing. Whether it’s a prank, a challenge, or a fitness trend, contextualizing safety is part of the job. Second, audiences need tools to critically evaluate what they see — and avoid impulsively copying behaviors that could endanger themselves or others.

Yes, social media thrives on the unexpected, the quirky, and the borderline absurd. But when a “prank” blurs into something that could, even indirectly, cause trauma or alarm, it’s a sign that creators must think harder about impact over impressions.

In the end, Mojito’s case serves as both a legal precedent and a cultural flashpoint: influence isn’t just about eyeballs and engagement. It’s about the real humans who watch, imitate, and occasionally, get poked (physically or psychologically) along the way.

Sources list :
Bored Panda — https://www.boredpanda.com/french-influencer-jailed-over-fake-syringe-pranks/
Distractify — https://www.distractify.com/p/french-influencer-needle-prank
The Tab — https://thetab.com/2025/10/07/influencer-jailed-after-posting-disturbing-syringe-prank-pretending-to-inject-strangers
Le Monde Pixels — https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2025/06/27/syringe-attacks-at-france-wide-music-event-how-panic-spread-on-social-media_6742787_13.html