Careful where you selfie — it could be dangerous.
In a recent study conducted by the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, results yielded a surprising increase in the amount of selfie-related deaths. Now, as a safety regulation, researchers are calling for “no-selfie zones” in certain parts of tourist attractions.
According to the study, approximately 259 people have died from Oct. 2011 to Nov. 2017 while taking selfies, a majority of fatalities occurring with males in their twenties. Most of these incidents have been reported in India, Russia, the United States and Pakistan, with drowning, transport and falling as the most common cause. The study claims that their results are “just the tip of the iceberg,” with the possibility of there being plenty of undocumented selfie-deaths.
“Usually, the youth and tourists are frequently affected because of the desire of “being cool,” posting photos on social [media], and getting rewards in forms of likes and comments,” the study states. “Selfies are themselves not harmful, but the human behavior that accompanies selfies is dangerous. Individuals need to be educated regarding certain risky behaviors and risky places where selfies should not be taken.”
Examples of these selfie-related accidents aren’t far and few — it was just last month that a tourist fell 820 feet to his death in Yosemite Park trying to snap a photo of himself. In June, an Australian couple also died in a similar fashion, taking a risky selfie in Lisbon, Portugal. And in July, a Chinese executive fell from a tower in Europe trying to get a good picture.
Certain tourist attractions and popular locations have already made some strides with selfie-taking regulations. Hawaiian officials have taken to arresting tourists for taking risky volcano picks, while has already Milan made the executive decision to ban selfie-sticks last year. With the general stigma of obnoxiousness that surrounds taking a selfie and the recent study, more regulations are bound to be made in the future. For now, though — use your common sense before you attempt to get that perfect Instagram.
Featured image by Diego Cupolo/NurPhoto via Getty Images