A French social media influencer has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of stabbing random people with a syringe as part of what he called a “prank” for his online content. The disturbing videos, which showed him pretending to inject passersby on the streets of Paris, caused panic among victims who feared he had infected them with dangerous substances. Authorities said the act was not only reckless but also caused serious psychological distress to those involved.

During the trial, prosecutors described the influencer’s behavior as “a sick and dangerous stunt”, accusing him of exploiting fear for fame and social media views. The court heard testimonies from several victims, some of whom said they suffered sleepless nights and anxiety after the attacks. The judge ruled that the videos went beyond entertainment and amounted to deliberate harm.

In his defense, the influencer claimed he used fake syringes and had no intention of injuring anyone. He apologized for his actions, saying he only wanted to increase his online followers. However, the court rejected his excuse, stating that his actions were irresponsible and put the public at risk. He was sentenced to several months in jail and fined for endangering others.

The case has sparked a wider debate in France about the dangers of viral prank culture and how far people are willing to go for social media fame. Authorities have warned influencers to think responsibly before creating content that can harm others or spread fear. Many internet users have since called for stricter regulations to stop such dangerous online behavior.