France is grappling with the public antics of a 14-year-old boy, known online as Hamza, whose disruptive actions across Paris have made him a viral social media sensation and a subject of national debate. His behavior, which includes pushing women into canals, squirting police officers with water pistols, and riding a scooter while vaping, has been labeled by some as a symptom of a failing country.
Hamza's actions have generated significant attention, with discussions about him appearing on television news and in media interviews. One television debate described him as "a symptom of a failing country." Videos circulating online show him pushing sunbathing women into canals, drenching cyclists, and engaging in water fights with police.
Questions about parental responsibility are frequently raised. Hamza claims his father, who lives separately from his mother, is unconcerned about his activities, stating, "He leaves me alone because he knows I’m not doing anything bad. All I do is water people and the police from time to time." His father reportedly described Hamza as a "nice boy" who "doesn't hurt anyone." Hamza himself has dismissed criticism of his behavior, telling France's CNews that "Most people are just racist."
Despite claims of harmlessness, Hamza was reportedly arrested recently for allegedly stealing a phone. According to reports, he has been taken into police custody at least ten times since June 2025, including incidents involving alleged "acts of group violence and vandalism."
His pranks have extended to cyclists, with one video showing a crowd surrounding and drenching a bike rider. Hamza has also been reported to have set up a fake "customs check" near Canal Saint-Martin, demanding money from passers-by. In a more disturbing incident, he was allegedly heard shouting abusive language into a woman's home.
The teenager's actions have fueled a broader societal discussion. Some commentators, like Alexandre Devecchio, an opinion editor at Le Figaro, suggest that in a "normal country" such behavior would be quickly corrected, but that in contemporary France, Hamza risks imprisonment due to a lack of limits. Conversely, the left-wing newspaper Libération has characterized Hamza as "a kid who needs protection."
Public figures and commentators have weighed in on the underlying issues. Pouria Amirshahi, a member of France's national assembly, cited a reduction in funding for social services and a lack of specialized educators. Parisian councilor Abdoulaye Kanté suggested a need to hold parents more accountable, noting that while some are overwhelmed, they should also accept assistance from authorities.
Many of Hamza's videos have provoked public anger, highlighting a perceived breakdown in authority and social order. The debate continues over whether he is a product of neglect or a manifestation of deeper societal problems.