Selfies can be a unique and exciting way to share our lives with the world. But certain social media trends are leading some individuals to put their lives at risk for the perfect shot.
The most recent selfie tragedy resulted in the death of a 21-year-old British tourist who fell from a cliff in Australia last weekend. Madalyn Davis, known for her makeup tutorials online, was taking selfies with a group of friends on top of a cliff in Sydney. Emergency officials believe the fatal fall occurred in a restricted area of the scenic Diamond Bay, where tourists are often caught climbing over the fences to take a picture.
Selfie deaths across the world are mounting in epidemic proportions. Thankfully, all of these accidents are entirely preventable when keeping safety in mind.
Why Selfies Are So Dangerous
Social media celebrities have made it a goal to prove that they can put themselves in danger and survive. Last summer, we covered the Top 7 Fatal Selfie Trends that are unnecessarily killing people worldwide:
- Drowning accidents
- Scenic backdrop accidents
- Falls from heights
- Fire and explosions
- Transportation accidents
- Animal attack
- Electrocutions
From dangling off cliffs, hanging from buildings, posing in a lion’s den, or setting yourself on fire, there are more and more social media users are buying into the danger factor.
Despite people who deliberately put themselves in danger, scientific studies have shown that the act of taking a selfie itself puts you at an increased risk for injuries.
In an article published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science, experts discourage the use of phones in manner while standing, walking, or performing other physical tasks. Some of the reasons include:
- Instability: A person who is on their phone shows a greater postural sway than someone who is without a cell phone. This leads phone users to lose their balance easily, especially when on an uneven surface.
- Dual-Task Distractions: Anyone who is doing two complex tasks at the same time is not paying attention to either one fully. A person who is taking selfies is not fully aware- if aware at all- of the environmental conditions that could put them at risk.
- Awkward Posture: When people take a selfie, they don’t often stand in a straight and steady position. Lifting your arm high over your head or contorting your body to get an optimal shot, puts your center of gravity off balance and makes falls more likely.
Trying to do anything else while operating your phone is dangerous. Turning the phone around for a photo elevates the risk of injuries. But putting yourself in imminent danger while trying to take a photo is a receipt for disaster and devastation.
How To Take A Safe Selfie
No selfie, no matter how spectacular, is worth risking your life. Here are a few tips to remember the next time you turn your camera around:
- Stay focused on your surroundings, not your photo.
- Know the statistics about the most dangerous photos and learn from them.
- Do not break the law to get a selfie.
- Do not climb or lean over high areas to take a photo.
- Avoid taking photos with wild animals that are not behind barriers.
- Don’t take selfies while driving a car or boat or any other vehicle.
- Do not try to beat a moving vehicle for a picture.
- Put the firearms away.
- Never move safety barriers and signs to take a photo- they are there for a reason.
Connecticut Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to negligence, you may be eligible to receive compensation for damages suffered. Contact our expert team of personal injury attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace for a free consultation to explore your options.
