A 14-year-old boy, identified by French media as Hamza F., has become a viral sensation for a series of disruptive and anti-social actions across Paris, sparking a nationwide debate. His antics, which include pushing women into canals, spraying cyclists and police with water pistols, and riding a scooter while vaping, have drawn sharp criticism and concern from across France, with some labeling him a "symptom of a failing country."
Hamza has been taken into police custody at least ten times since June 2025, according to French news outlet CNews. In late June, he was arrested for alleged group violence and vandalism. Days later, he was reportedly back at Canal Saint-Martin, joking about his police station experience.
His alleged recent arrest involved the theft of a phone, which Le Figaro reported occurred on the evening prior to their publication. In a video shared by National Rally politician Julien Odoul, Hamza was allegedly heard shouting offensive remarks into a woman's home. Odoul criticized the perceived leniency of the authorities, suggesting that in a "normal world," parents would be contacted and welfare benefits potentially suspended.
Hamza, who has reportedly set up a makeshift "customs post" by Canal Saint-Martin, demanding money from passersby, has gained the nickname 'La Douane' (The Customs Post). He has dismissed criticism, telling CNews that those who call him a thug are "just racist." His mother has echoed this sentiment, describing criticism of his actions as racist.
His father, however, described Hamza as a "nice boy" who "doesn't hurt anyone" and claimed he was not concerned about his son roaming the streets, believing he was not doing anything wrong.
These incidents have drawn comparisons to the actions of Mizzy, a British teenager whose disruptive TikTok stunts in London led to his jailing in 2023. Both cases highlight the amplification of such behavior through social media platforms.
Discussions about the underlying causes of Hamza's behavior have surfaced in French media and on debate shows. Pouria Amirshahi, a member of France's National Assembly, pointed to a reduction in funding for social services and a shortage of specialized educators. Parisian councilor Abdoulaye Kanté, a former police officer, emphasized parental responsibility, suggesting that parents need to accept help from authorities when they are overwhelmed.
Alexandre Devecchio, an opinion editor at Le Figaro, argued that in a society where adult authority is respected, Hamza would be quickly corrected. He suggested that in the absence of boundaries, the teenager risks imprisonment and represents "everyday offending that ruins French people’s lives."
Conversely, the left-wing newspaper Libération offered a different perspective, characterizing Hamza as a "kid who needs protection."