Learn about the internet phenomena “Smartschoolboy9” and how to stay safe online.
“Smartschoolboy9” is not a piece of fictional horror or a creepypasta. Instead, it refers to a real and disturbing online persona linked to a man named David Alter. Alter is suspected of running multiple social media accounts where he portrays himself in unsettling ways, often dressed as a school boy. His posts, which started off innocuous, became increasingly disturbing, featuring AI-generated or manipulated images of children, which is raising significant concerns about predatory behavior.
The case first surfaced in April 2024; but ever since, it’s been gaining more recognition. Even so, he has been making related content since 2018. When users on Reddit uncovered the accounts and linked them to Alter. His posts include strange imagery and videos, which raised red flags about his intentions, especially since some of his content appeared to involve or target children. The case has been the subject of Youtube documentaries and social media discussions, leading to the removal of several of these accounts from Instagram.
One of the most alarming aspects of the case was that Smartschoolboy9 and other similar accounts seemed to be interacting with real children on social media. This raised the possibility that the man behind these accounts could be using them to manipulate young people.
Once the case gained attention, it quickly spread across different social media platforms like Youtube, Twitter (X), and Reddit. Nick Crowley’s Youtube documentary on the subject, titled “Smartschoolboy9: An Internet Rabbit Hole,” was instrumental in bringing the case to light. His video explained how internet detectives linked the Instagram account back to Alter, a man living in the UK. Alter allegedly lived in Doncaster, but after the public backlash, he is believed to have moved to Streatham, London.
This case remains under investigation, but so far, law enforcement has not confirmed any criminal charges against Alter. While many believe that he had inappropriate intentions, his actual interactions with children remain unclear. However, the incident has led to important discussions about online safety, particularly concerning young people interacting with strangers on social media.
Smartschoolboy9 is not a fictional creepypasta character, but a real figure and danger who raised significant concern about online safety. The investigation is still ongoing, but the case serves as a wakeup call about the importance of being cautious and responsible online, especially for younger users. It also reminds everyone that if something feels off or wrong online, it should be reported immediately to authorities.