Online posts have been widely shared on social media, showing schools from across Glasgow split into red, blue, green, and yellow teams. The posts follow UK-wide concerns about the trend, which supposedly operates on a points system where kids are given points for actions like punching an opponent. One post divides the city's schools into South (red) and North (blue) Glasgow sides, and another post separates West (green) and East (yellow) Glasgow. Concerns have been raised over encouragement to bring weapons to the war, with claims that extra points would be given for using them. Secondary school pupils from S3-6 have been urged by the posts to get involved. Two posts, seen by STV News, are directed to S3 pupils and above at various secondaries, urging them to attend meets at Glasgow Green and St Roch's pitches this month. The images have split the schools into four teams and appear to promote violence. However, whether any actual violence or incidents have occurred as a result of the social media posts remains unknown.
Glasgow City Council and Police Scotland are working together to combat the issue. Police Scotland has not given any indication that any arrests have been made or that acts of violence have been reported in connection with the posts. The council notes that the national trend could be a hoax, done for fun, but has condemned the posts. A Glasgow City Council spokesperson said, 'Our schools are aware of the post and working with police colleagues and, importantly, talking to their young people about this.' The same spokesperson added, 'It seems to be a national trend that perhaps a young person thought it would be fun to replicate, which it is not if it brings fear and alarm across the city.' The council has a dedicated social media team that has been researching the viral posts. Glasgow City Council has confirmed that teachers are aware of the social media posts being shared among pupils.
Our schools are aware of the post and working with police colleagues and, importantly, talking to their young people about this.
Police Scotland has confirmed it is monitoring the situation and providing support to schools. A Police Scotland spokesperson stated, 'Officers throughout the city are engaging with schools to provide support and reassurance to young people and reinforce the dangers of these events.' The spokesperson also said, 'Routine patrols are continuing to provide additional reassurance and anyone with concerns should speak to officers or call Police Scotland through 101.' Police in Glasgow are aware of the posts and say they are working to combat any potential violence while working with schools.
The current trend originated on social media platforms and can be traced back to a meme inspired by video games such as Halo and Fortnite. The format is based on team games where players are split into blue and red sides, as the post has done with schools from across the city. The posters originated as a meme and have now made their way into mainstream social media among schoolchildren. The Red vs Blue meme started in 2003 but seems to have migrated from the video game world to Glasgow as a civil war between sides, pitting schools against one another. The meme emulates the split of teams in online gaming and can be traced back to Xbox Sci-Fi shooter Halo and the 2003 American web series Red vs Blue created by Rooster Teeth. The highly popular series ran for 15 seasons and followed two teams embroiled in a civil war.
It seems to be a national trend that perhaps a young person thought it would be fun to replicate, which it is not if it brings fear and alarm across the city.
The trend is understood to have begun in London and spread throughout the country over the past few weeks. It is widely reported that the trend is thought to be a hoax and an attempt to divide communities. The social media posts are believed to be replicating an ongoing national red vs blue trend which has made its way onto TikTok and into schools. Social media posts promoting Glasgow War have been circulating around schools throughout the city.