Published on by Matthew H. Nash
Social media culture has permanently shaped how we all live and exist in the world. For some, social media has provided new opportunities, insights into new ways of living, and even new career paths. For others, it has created a culture of comparison, envy, and dangerous behavior.
We initially became interested in the idea of risk aversion versus risk tolerance in regard to social media while studying the sharp uptick in selfie-related deaths being reported in the news. It seems like this is becoming a more and more common occurrence, but was it actually? What are the numbers behind the headlines?
We compiled a database of 314 selfie-related incidents since March 2014 through June 2024. This database is a continuation of the Wikipedia selfie-related injuries and deaths database, which has largely stopped updating in the last couple of years.
These incidents in our database account for 425 selfie deaths and 82 injuries spanning 49 countries.
All of the following incidents were reported as being directly related to taking a selfie as the cause of death, as reported by the media. This does not factor in the countless deaths that were peripherally related to taking a selfie or were selfie-related but that could not be verified as such during the autopsy or at the crime scene. Odds are, the number of selfie-related deaths and injuries is likely much higher.
The Selfie Death Database
We noticed the list of selfie-relate deaths on Wikipedia was not being updated so we decided to take matters into our own hands and compile a comprehensive database. Our list has been expanded and is more user-friendly, as well as updated as of June 2024. The article titles have been translated from their original language into English where applicable.
Selfie Deaths and Injuries by the Numbers
It’s one thing to know that selfie deaths and injuries are happening “somewhere” in the world, but many treat it as a modern boogieman story. “Don’t get too close to the ledge, or you could fall off!” Stories of selfie deaths are sensationalized in the media and framed as rare occurrences. But are they? How often are selfie deaths really happening, where do they occur, and how can we avoid these incidents?
Total Selfie Deaths & Injuries by Country
As stated in the intro, there have been a documented:
- 314 selfie incidents (deaths, injuries, or both) which range from one injury or fatality all the way up to 48 injuries from one incident.
- From these incidents, there were 425 deaths by selfie or selfie-related causes.
- 82 injuries were also recorded as being specifically selfie-related.
- 49 countries have had documented selfie-related deaths.
India is the country with the most selfie-related deaths and injuries, with a total of 190 deaths (47% of all total deaths) and 55 injuries. Next is the United States, with 29 deaths, and Russia, with 18 deaths.
Of course, total death and injury rates are only part of the story. Total incidents are a way to give us insights into where these issues are occurring, how, and when. Many incidents occurred as standalone occurrences with only one victim, but many involved multiple victims, particularly friends or family members who attempted to aid the person who was injured.
Selfie-related incidents fall into the following primary categories:
Falls account for 44% of selfie-related incidents, followed by drowning at 21% and trains at 16%. However, drowning is the #1 cause of fatalities since often times multiple people die while trying save others.
“Other” includes people attempting to take selfies with lightning, near helicopters, on the wing of a plane, holding a grenade, riding a bicycle, and more. The vast majority of incidents involved attempting to take a picture at a height or by a cliff and falling or trying to take a photo in or near the water and drowning.
When did these incidents happen?
Selfie-related death and injury news reports appear to have peaked in 2016 and have decreased somewhat since then. In fact, over 23% of all selfie deaths occurred in just 2016 alone. The fact that these incidents appear to be decreasing is great news. However, it makes you wonder if the incidents have actually stopped happening as frequently, or if the reporting has. It’s possible that it’s no longer sensationalized and has become normal to the point of no longer requiring national or international news, or we’ve possibly just accepted this as a regular part of life and death on the internet.
Other possible explanations for this decrease in selfie deaths include:
- More safety regulations at landmarks and tourist areas
- A cultural shift away from the glorification of high-risk social media behavior
- Increased education about phone safety
- Social media backlash against unsafe behaviors, particularly against influencers and those who profit from risky behavior
Another possibility is that social media sites, like Instagram and TikTok, have increased their community monitoring and now censor risky material more than they did previously, potentially due to backlash or liability.
Where Are Selfie Deaths Occurring?
Selfie-related deaths and accidents are a global problem, but they do seem to be happening in certain places more than others. We wouldn’t presume to definitively know the reason behind this, but certain factors likely include:
- Lax safety regulations
- Cultures where extreme behavior is encouraged
- High tourism destinations
- Disregard for the destructive power of nature
- Larger populations (which inevitably means more incidents and accidents)
“Where” is only part of the equation, however, when you factor in tourists and the prevalence of selfie incidents while traveling. In fact, 17.83%, or 51 of the 286 incidents, included people who were traveling or visiting another country. The idea of tourists behaving in risky or dangerous ways is not necessarily a new phenomenon, but it is of note when discussing selfie incidents.
The Normalization of Selfie Culture and Its Impact On Youth and High-Risk Behavior
When social capital is tied to observable metrics (i.e. “likes” and “comments”) and is no longer limited to your immediate friends and family, it can feel like the goalpost for social approval keeps getting more extreme and more global. Young teens and adults aren’t just comparing themselves to their friends and classmates. They are now being compared to unrealistic beauty standards, increasingly high-risk behavior, and a worldwide community of peers. There’s even an academic term for the phenomenon: PIGU (Problematic Instagram Use).
Social media companies are likely well aware of the impact that their platforms have on young people. Many people feel like the platforms are willfully or negligently ignoring the impacts on youth. In fact, they have actively downplayed the devastating psychological effects of their platforms on young people for the sake of profit, according to the Wall Street Journal.
It’s clear to see how things like dangerous health fads, risky social media trends, and toxic body image can be to young people. But what about more innocent-seeming trends, like travel bloggers and nature enthusiasts? Are these forms of social media “safer” when they tacitly cosign dangerous behavior? To what extent does influencer culture promote and encourage risky behavior in the pursuit of attention and social media clout?
We asked these questions and more in our original research study, “Death by Instagram Fueled Selfies: A Survey of 1,233 Instagram Users (2023)” on risky social media behaviors, and found that at least 1 in 10 Instagrammers would willingly put themselves at risk for more followers. This percentage only increased when users were more active and engaged on social media.
Safety & Selfies: How to Take the Perfect Picture (and Stay Alive to Post It)
- Always follow posted guidelines. Often, threats aren’t immediately apparent to thrill-seekers and tourists. Trust the posted instructions, rules, and “Selfie Free Zones.”
- Check before you pull out your camera. Wildlife, inclement weather, or other threats may not always be obvious. Do a quick double-check for safety threats before getting distracted by your phone. Phones are more distracting than most people realize.
- Travel with a friend. Solo selfies can often put people in danger, but having a trusted person with you can help keep you safe (and safely snapping). Additionally, traveling with a friend means you can look out for each other or get assistance in the event of an emergency.
- Don’t assume something is sturdy. Many of the accidents in the selfie death database occurred when someone thought a partition, ledge, or landing was safe, but it eroded or otherwise collapsed under the weight of a person it wasn’t designed to hold. Maintain three points of contact for optimum safety.
- Have an emergency plan in place if the worst occurs. Many scenic overlooks and tourist destinations are off-the-grid. If something happens, how will you and your party get to safety?
- Never, ever use a phone or electronic device while driving, walking around, or operating any kind of vehicle. That goes for anything train-related as well. No photo you’d take with or around a train is worth dying for.
- Just because an animal seems friendly or docile, don’t chance it. Many wild animals can act unpredictably and without warning.
- Taking selfies isn’t the only risk; posting can be risky, too. Consider safety when posting, particularly child safety. Key information like schools, routines, identifying info, and locations can be easily gleaned from posting pictures online.
Conclusion
In the short lifespan of social media apps, what’s considered “Instagrammable” has shifted dramatically from brunch with friends and beautiful sunsets to dangerous vacations in exotic places. While Instagram is often considered the originator of potentially risky behavior for social media, apps like Snapchat, Reddit, and TikTok also regularly feature dangerous stunts and trends that are keeping young people interested (but not necessarily safe).
We don’t know how far apps like TikTok and Instagram will push the boundaries of human behavior and relationships. But we do know that social media apps were designed to hold our focus and keep us seeking the validation of “likes” and attention. And they were designed very, very well.