By Matt Underwood A tragic incident has once again brought the dangerous practice of “subway surfing” to the forefront in New York City, leaving one teenager dead and an 18-year-old in critical condition. This harrowing event, as reported by the police, underscores a disturbingly persistent phenomenon that seems to resurface with alarming regularity, often claiming young lives.
The very act of subway surfing, where individuals ride on the exterior of moving subway cars, is something that predates the widespread influence of social media. While it’s difficult to pinpoint precise historical statistics, anecdotal evidence and past reports suggest that the problem of people engaging in risky behaviors with subways, including riding on top of them, has been a concern for decades, with some suggesting the death toll was perhaps even higher in previous eras.
It’s hard to fathom the mindset that would lead someone to undertake such a perilous activity. The inherent dangers are immense, involving moving trains, unpredictable track conditions, and the sheer force of wind and gravity. Despite these obvious risks, the allure of a dare, a misguided sense of thrill, or perhaps the desire for social validation seems to propel some individuals, particularly young people, into these life-threatening situations.
Year after year, similar stories emerge, featuring new victims, often teenagers, who have paid the ultimate price for engaging in these reckless acts. The recurring nature of these tragedies is disheartening, and it begs the question of why, despite the clear and fatal consequences, this behavior continues. It’s a grim testament to the fact that young people have historically engaged in foolish and dangerous stunts, and while social media may amplify the reach and visibility of such acts, it is not the sole instigator.
The proliferation of videos depicting these dangerous stunts on platforms like TikTok has certainly become a significant factor in recent years. Many New Yorkers, observing the aftermath of these incidents, express a palpable sense of frustration and exhaustion, with a growing sentiment of a lack of sympathy for those who choose to engage in such self-endangering activities. The phrase “I’ve run out of sympathy” is often heard, a sentiment that, while perhaps harsh, reflects a deep weariness with the predictable outcomes of these foolish choices, even though these are not intentional acts of suicide. The thought of a 14-year-old being involved in such a scenario is particularly tragic.
Similar dangerous behaviors have been observed in other urban centers. In Sydney, for example, authorities have had to implement protective measures on certain bridges to prevent children from engaging in risky dares, such as intentionally exposing themselves to high-voltage overhead wiring. While some have tragically died in these attempts, others have found alternative dangerous activities, like riding on the connectors between trams or clinging to the rear of train carriages. The consequences of such misjudgments can be immediate and devastating, as was the case with a young girl who recently learned the hard way about the limited ground clearance of trams. The disturbing trend has led to calls for social media companies to expedite the removal of posts featuring individuals subway surfing.
The underlying driver for many of these dangerous acts appears to be peer influence. Children and teenagers often mimic the behavior they witness from their peers, especially when it’s popularized online. This creates a dangerous cycle where one foolish act can inspire another, leading to further risk-taking. The potential for artificial intelligence to play a role in mitigating this by instantly removing such content is an interesting prospect for preventing the spread of these harmful challenges.
The discussion around subway surfing is not entirely new; some recall episodes of educational shows, like “Captain Planet,” that warned against such dangerous activities, illustrating that awareness of these risks has existed for a long time. These “TikTok challenges” are often criticized as being detrimental and lacking any real value. For those living in areas like Brooklyn, the frequency of this phenomenon is not surprising; it’s a known, albeit deeply concerning, occurrence. The profound sorrow and anger of parents who lose children in such avoidable and senseless ways are unimaginable.
Teenagers have always been prone to impulsive and ill-advised actions, a characteristic as old as time. It’s an oversimplification to solely blame social media for this behavior. The description of the 18-year-old as a “victim” in some reports sparks debate. While he was undoubtedly a victim of the circumstances, some argue that the choices he made were directly responsible for his condition, representing a stark case of natural selection at play, where actions have clear and often dire consequences. The memory of attempting to surf *inside* train cars, which was difficult enough, pales in comparison to the external act of subway surfing, highlighting the extreme nature of this current danger.
While social media undoubtedly shares some culpability in the amplification and normalization of subway surfing, the infrastructure and safety measures of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) also come under scrutiny. In contrast to many European and Asian cities that employ platform screen doors and glass barricades for passenger safety, New York City’s subway system often features narrow platforms that leave passengers exposed to the tracks and approaching trains. The lack of consistent infrastructure upgrades and a perceived relaxed approach to safety by the MTA are seen by some as contributing factors, making dangerous acts like subway surfing more feasible. Implementing enhanced safety features, particularly in high-traffic stations and those crossing bridges, could significantly deter such activities. Furthermore, there’s a feeling that MTA staff and subway police are not sufficiently intervening to prevent these incidents.
The sentiment that some individuals are embracing the danger, even finding a grim sort of “coolness” in dying “fucking rad,” is a disturbing commentary on a certain segment of behavior. However, more pragmatically, choices have consequences, and there is little more to it than that. The sheer volume of reported incidents prior to 2019, with hundreds of reports of people riding outside of trains, suggests a deep-seated issue that predates recent social media trends, though it has undoubtedly been exacerbated by them. The idea of young people seeking “clout” through dangerous acts for online attention is a modern phenomenon contributing to the problem.
The argument that people have been doing these things long before social media, while true, doesn’t negate the responsibility of social media platforms to remove dangerous content as quickly as possible. The widespread visibility of challenges like the “milk crate challenge” clearly demonstrated the persuasive power of online trends to encourage dangerous behavior.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has historically documented instances of “skylarking” or subway surfing, with numerous fatalities and injuries reported between 1989 and 2011. The commentary highlights a generational divide in perspective, with some attributing the current issues solely to younger generations, while others point out that foolishness and recklessness have always existed, regardless of the era or the presence of social media. The comparison to the simpler, less connected era of 2005, before the widespread use of Instagram or TikTok, is often made, yet it’s acknowledged that even then, teenagers engaged in risky behaviors. The core difference seems to be the amplified reach and visibility provided by current technology.
The recklessness associated with teenage boys is a recognized aspect of adolescent development, but the question remains whether the impulse to engage in subway surfing is a unique product of today’s culture. It is speculated that many people engaging in such behavior are driven by boredom and a desire for excitement, leading them to take extreme risks for fleeting recognition. The concept of “natural selection” is frequently invoked, suggesting that the ultimate outcome of such dangerous choices is a stark lesson.
The fast-paced and demanding nature of life in New York City, coupled with the inherent risks of navigating its complex subway system, creates an environment where a misstep can have severe consequences. The subway, in particular, is a venue where unusual and sometimes tragic events occur with an unnerving frequency, making it a backdrop for both mundane commutes and extraordinary, often dangerous, incidents.
There are reports of graphic footage circulating from the incident itself, which is deeply unsettling to witness. While condemning subway surfing as inherently stupid and dangerous, the visceral impact of seeing the aftermath evokes a profound sense of sorrow for the young person who died and empathy for their family. The level of sympathy for the 18-year-old is often lower, given their active participation in the dangerous act. The term “surfing” itself, when applied to such a perilous activity, can elicit a darkly humorous or disbelieving reaction.
The notion of a PSA campaign, akin to those that have highlighted other foolish ways to die, is raised. The emotional complexity of a family member dying in such a preventable and idiotic manner is explored, highlighting the potential for feelings of anger and bitterness alongside grief. The phrase “victim of your own stupidity” is considered, with some arguing that it’s an accurate, albeit blunt, assessment of the situation. The term “victim” is also debated, with some contending that influence from social media and youth can qualify someone as a victim, even when their actions are the direct cause. However, a general recommendation for clear and contemporary language is also expressed, suggesting a preference for direct and understandable communication.