Think that selfie is fun? Harmless?
Aside of the downsides of "missing" the experience of where you are, because you're so busy capturing your selfie, you may be surprised to to learn that taking selfies is actually dangerous.
What starts as playful fun can cross the line when selfies become an obsession, in which you become less aware of your surroundings and take ever-increasing risks.
Especially for men. The truth is that while women take more selfies than men, 75% of selfie death victims are MEN.
Selfie deaths?!? Really? You bet.
Selfie-takers have been killed by:
- Falling off cliffs while taking selfies
- Falling over viewpoint barriers
- Falling into a volcano crater
- Falling down stairs
- Falling down stairs while taking a selfie at the Taj Majal
- Falling off bridges
- Falling off dams
- Falling into ponds, springs, irrigation canals and water reservoirs
- Falling into a geyser while taking a selfie
- Falling into a quarry filled with rainwater
- Falling into a well, while leaning over to take a selfie showing the depth
- In a melt hole at the front edge of a receding glacier
- Standing in a rivers
- Taking selfies with waterfalls
- By waves, when taking selfies on the beach
- Standing in the surf, in a storm, taking selfies
- Taking selfies on train tracks (several)
- Taking selfies with trains
- Falling off moving trains
- Climbing on top of moving trains
- Climbing on top of stationary trains (electrocution)
- Taking driving selfies
- Crashing cars uploading selfies while driving
- Being hit by cars, while taking selfies
- Standing up in a boat to take selfies (drownings)
- Climbing on a fountain to take selfies
- Climbing onto a glass dome and falling through
- Falling off high buildings and ledges
- Climbing on girders in a construction site
- Leaping to take a "flying selfie" (at Machu Picchu)
- Posing with guns (many in the USA and Russia)
- Posing with grenades
- Posing with a rattlesnake
- Posing with tigers at the zoo
- Taking selfies with a walrus at the zoo
- Posing with a bison in a national park (gored)
- Posing with an elephant near their tent on a safari
- Getting out of a vehicle to take selfies with a herd of elephants blocking a road
Places
where selfies have banned, due to deaths:
- In Pamplona, Spain, during the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona
- At New York State zoos (tigers)
- Anywhere in Mumbai (India has very high selfie deaths)
- In Japan, selfies and selfie-sticks on train station platforms are banned
Selfie bans have been proposed, due to high selfie deaths:
- In Paris, at the Eiffel Tower
- In Rome, at Trevi Fountain
- In Rome, on the Spanish Steps
Does it get worse?
Yes, the most risk of selfies are being called "killfies". These selfies aren't just careless, the are planned death-defying selfies by adrenaline junkies. And a shocking number die trying.
Is there hope?
Yes. A group of computer science students at Carnegie Mellon University, in partnership with the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, are tackling the issue of educating people on dangerous photo ops. The strategies include an anti-death-by-selfie app that would provide a warning if the user is about to attempt a high-risk selfie - or even better: shut down the camera [
read more].
It's an intriguing concept. While we're not sure it would dissuade those inclined towards death defying killfies, it does sound like a great solution for those simply caught up in the moment and at risk of accidental death.
Is there an alternative?
Yes, there is a new option available for travellers.
Flytographer is a network of professional photographers worldwide, many in popular tourist destinations. In larger cities, there may be multiple photographers to choose from, and Flytographer makes this easy, as you can check out samples of each photographer's work online. The best part? You get GREAT photos of your memorable trips and travel moments, including electronic files. We say, Flytographer is brilliant!
Note: the photos in this article are NOT those of people who died taking a selfie (though you will find such photos in the results below).
Related resources
Capturing Travel Memories by Flytographer - cruisetravelbug
Researchers Seek Solution to Selfie-Related Deaths - Carnegie Mellon University
The Newest Trend Has People Dying For The Perfect ‘Killfies’- Social News Daily
Extreme Selfie Attempts Which Resulted In Horrifying Deaths - Daily Leaks
Selfie Obsession kills over 60 people Worldwide - Phone Radar
Mumbai sets no-selfie zones as deaths linked to selfies rise - Big Story
13 Landmarks That Have Banned Selfies or Selfie-Sticks - Conde Nast Traveler
Driving Selfies On The Rise And Having Deadly Consequences - Social News Daily
