Sydney: Selfies have been called everything from an art form to narcissistic and a sign of a dysfunctional society. They can also kill and many experts feel that it is a pandemic that cannot be tackled by vaccines. It will continue to stay despite efforts to control it.
When people go to extreme lengths to take an image to share on social media – perhaps in remote or picturesque locations – they can even risk their lives. People therefore need to move beyond describing selfies as a social phenomenon, fuelled by the rise of smartphones and social media. Selfie should be treated as the public health hazard they really are.
More deaths, year after year
Certain picturesque locations have been linked to selfie deaths. This includes Yosemite National Park in California. In Australia, many people have died at places including cliffs, natural pools and waterfalls. These are not isolated incidents.
One study found 379 people worldwide were killed due to selfies between 2008 and 2021. There is no account of the number of injured. Incidents of deaths and injuries are more likely in young adults, particularly males. Many are travellers or tourists (particularly in Australia and the United States). In Australia and the US, selfie takers tend to be injured or killed while solo, and commonly in locations very difficult for emergency services to access.
In countries such as India and Pakistan, selfie takers are more likely to die, tragically, as a group, especially near bodies of water, such as lakes.
Researchers have called for the introduction of ‘no selfie zones’ around hotspots, such as tall buildings. Russian and Indian authorities have introduced these. Russia has launched a ‘safe selfie’ guide. But it’s not clear how effective these strategies have been. If anything, selfie incidents seem to be increasing globally.
Media calls these foolish, selfish
The media often portrays people involved in selfie incidents as foolish or selfish. This seems to confirm the research showing media reports often blaming the victim. Reports almost never provide safety information.
Selfie is a public health issue
Selfies create similar problems with other activities that are often termed ‘public health hazards’. These include driving without a seatbelt, riding a bicycle without a helmet, smoking cigarettes or excessive alcohol consumption.
These are all examples people once considered ‘normal’, which are now seen as risky. Taking dangerous selfies needs to be added to that list. By thinking of these selfies as a public health issue, one can move away from blaming the victim and instead need to effectively communicate risk to selfie-takers.
One example relates to the popular selfie hotspot, ‘Figure Eight Pools’ in the Royal National Park, New South Wales. In this place people can be overwhelmed by big, ‘freak’ waves.
Authorities have produced a colour-coded risk rating that takes into account ocean and weather conditions. People can go online to see if the risk of going to the pools is ‘very low’ to ‘extreme’. It is the only way to handle the selfie ‘hazard’.
If these risky selfies are thought as a public health issue, then authorities can move towards education and prevention.
Signs at selfie hotspots are one thing. But everyone knows that these signs are often ignored, or simply not seen. So a better mode of communication is needed to convey safety messages to selfie takers. With the right communication strategy, risks of tragedies while taking selfies can be largely diminished.
5 tips to stay safe when taking selfies in nature
Think about weather and water conditions. Weather and coastal conditions can change rapidly. Just because the weather and waves don’t appear dangerous when you start the selfie journey, they might be very soon. So always keep a watch on tidal and wave conditions.
Don’t walk past safety signs and physical barriers. Warning signs are there to provide life-saving information. Pay attention to signs and heed their advice. Don’t jump or go around any physical barriers blocking access.
Stay on the designated path. Staying on paths and trails is safest and also does fragile ecosystems a big favour.
Don’t get too close to the edge. Be aware of crumbling edges. It is wrong to trust cliff edges and be aware of unstable ground. Cliff edges are naturally eroding and the extra weight doesn’t help. People have died from cliff edges crumbling away while standing on them.
No amount of ‘likes’ is worth your life. Consider the motivations for taking selfies and using social media. Studies show spending time in nature is good for our health. But the world looks better when not viewed through a screen.
