Six Deaths in NYC Highlight Dangers of ‘Subway Surfing’ Social Media Challenge
Subway surfing, a dangerous trend of riding on top of moving subway cars popularized on social media, has resulted in six deaths and 181 arrests in New York City this year, according to the New York Police Department. In response, the city’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is working with social media platforms including YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to remove related content and discourage the practice. The NYPD is also using drone technology to apprehend and deter subway surfers. Social media platforms’ policies forbid dangerous content, but the spread of such challenges is often driven by peer pressure and attention-seeking behavior. Lawsuits have been filed against some platforms, alleging they encourage dangerous behavior among young users.
John Q. Hosedrinker