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The Fatal Pursuit of Social Media Stardom: A Deadly Trend that does not end well!

Warning this content is disturbing!

Trend or Reckless Risk? Teen Hangs from Crane in Auckland Night Sky

A trend is gaining traction among New Zealand youth. As reported by the New Zealand herald and seen on TikToc (till it was remvoed)

A 16-year-old scaling a construction site on Auckland’s waterfront and dangling one-handed from the boom of a crane 200 metres above the city.
A video shared online claims the teenager took on the dizzying stunt atop what they described as “New Zealand’s tallest crane,” situated 220 metres in the air. The location appears to be the unfinished Seascape tower, a landmark under construction on Auckland’s waterfront.
The night-time escapade, shrouded in darkness, wasposted on TikTok (now removed) raises questions about thrill-seeking behaviour, social media’s influence, and the potential dangers of pushing limits for online clout. While some viewers were captivated by the youth’s daring act, others expressed concern over the risks involved.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/youths-dangerous-crane-stunt-on-new-zealands-tallest-apartment-tower/PKNQA4BC4ZEWXPBCP6H4SE3NWM/

Teenage crane climb -image clipped from TikToc (now remvoed)

Adventure wrote earlier last year Death By Social Stupidity

In the age of social media, the quest for attention and validation and click bait income has led individuals to increasingly extreme activities in the pursuit of viral fame. The allure of likes, shares, and comments has driven some to engage in dangerous stunts and challenges, resulting in tragic consequences. The morbid question that looms over this trend is, how many people have lost their lives in the relentless pursuit of the perfect social media post?

The statistics surrounding fatalities linked to extreme activities for social media content are alarming. From daredevil stunts to dangerous challenges, the quest for online validation has claimed numerous lives. Despite the evident risks, the temptation to go to more extraordinary lengths for that perfect shot or video has proven fatal for too many.

One of the primary culprits behind these tragedies is the constant pressure to outdo previous feats and create content that stands out in an oversaturated online landscape. Social media platforms, while providing a platform for self-expression, can also inadvertently fuel a culture of one-upmanship, pushing individuals to push safety boundaries for the sake of engagement.

Whether it’s cliff diving, hugging  a lion, or participating in a cliff edge selfie. The desire for a moment of internet fame blinds them to the potential life-threatening outcomes.

This trend has prompted discussions on the ethical responsibilities of both content creators and platforms. Social media influencers face scrutiny for their role in glamorising risky behaviour without adequately emphasising the potential dangers.

A simple warning on a video of someone plummeting to their deaths is not is discouragement but more of an appetiser.

The toll of lives lost in pursuing social media stardom is an unfortunate reality.

How you curtail this trend without impeding personal freedom, it is right to say ‘Well its their choice’ and it is, however, the impact of one-upmanship, in particularly with youth, (and those dealing with youth know the impact of social media) should there not be a more concentrated effort to limit the impact from the platforms where they post, or is that threatening free speech?

It does not always end well:

this clips has a very distrubing ending – be advised

Wu Yongning – scaled a skyscraper without safety equipment and film himself dangling off its roof by his fingertips.

What happened next almost seems inevitable – the Chinese climber fell, plunging 62 storeys to his death.

Beijing News investigation found that Mr Wu had posted more than 500 short videos and livestreams on Huoshan, garnering a million fans and earning at least 550,000 yuan (£62,000; $83,000). Huoshan had prominently promoted his videos as recently as June. A shocking clip of what appeared to be his final moments – his fatal attempt to scale a building in Changsha city

French daredevil Remi Lucidi died after falling from the 68th floor of a Hong Kong skyscraper, according to reports.

The 30-year-old, known as “Remi Enigma” on Instagram, lost his footing outside a penthouse apartment at the 721-foot-tall Tregunter Tower,

After gaining access to the high-rise by telling a security guard that he was there to visit a friend on the 40th floor, Lucidi made his way to the top floor, according to Sky News.

Per Sky News, Lucidi was seen on surveillance camera exiting the elevator on the 49th floor and again on the staircase to the top floor, where a door had been forced open.

 

 

32-year-old influencer Sofia Cheung died after slipping and falling 5 meters in the Ha Pak Lai nature park, while she was taking a selfie with friends at the edge of a waterfall. Her Instagram account featured photos of her outdoor adventures, including scaling cliffs and mountaintops.

A woman was mauled by a jaguar in Arizona after entering a zoo enclosure to take a selfie. She received non-life-threatening injuries, including a large gash on her arm.

A 46-year-old Chinese tourist died after falling into the sea while taking a selfie on a cliff at Devil’s Tears on Nusa Lembongan, off the coast of Bali.

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