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The Fatal Pursuit of Social Media Stardom: A Deadly Trend

In the age of social media, the quest for attention and validation 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, extreme sports, or participating in dangerous challenges, or just 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.

epa01937447 A parkour practitioner jumps from an 18-meters high roof to 14-meters high roof across a 7-meters wide gap in St. Petersburg, Russia, 18 November 2009. Parkour is a physical discipline of French origin in which participants run along a route, attempting to negotiate obstacles in the most efficient way possible, as if moving in an emergency situation, using skills such as jumping and climbing, or the more specific parkour moves. EPA/ANATOLY MALTSEV

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

I am not sure 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.   

More in the survival issue in April: HERE

 

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