The story of a child who “identifies as a wolf” gained widespread attention, but the real story was never about a child’s identity. It was about bullying and the harmful consequences of misinformation.

The story, which originated on the platform TikTok, was initially presented as a factual account of a child who believed they were a wolf. However, the story quickly evolved into a sensationalized narrative, amplified by online communities eager to push a particular agenda.

The real harm lies in the distortion of reality. The “child identifies as wolf” story became a rallying cry for those seeking to discredit the concept of gender identity, using it as a straw man argument to demonize individuals who identify differently. This narrative, however, was never about a child’s true identity. It was a fictionalized account, crafted to fuel prejudice and fear.

The story highlights the dangers of misinformation and how it can be weaponized to spread prejudice and discrimination. It also underlines the importance of critical thinking and media literacy, reminding us to question narratives and verify information before accepting them as truth.

Instead of using this story to attack a vulnerable group, we should use it as a reminder to combat bullying and misinformation. We should focus on creating safe spaces for children to explore their identities without fear of ridicule or judgment. The real story of this child is not about being a wolf; it’s about being a victim of a cruel and manipulative narrative.