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Subway surfing, a perilous trend involving riding outside or atop moving trains, has become a grave concern, particularly in New York City. The act, which originated in the 19th century among migrant workers who couldn’t afford train fares, has resurfaced as a dangerous social media trend, partly inspired by the popular game Subway Surfers. The practice has seen a sharp increase in popularity, with reports from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) indicating a quadruple rise in incidents between 2021 and 2022, jumping from 206 to 928 cases.
In Some Countries It Is A Necessity
Globally, subway surfing persists in countries like India and Bangladesh, often as a necessity for the financially disadvantaged who can’t afford tickets. However, in wealthier nations, it has morphed into a thrill-seeking activity, gaining momentum on platforms like TikTok. Viral videos glamorize this illegal and life-threatening act, often targeting impressionable youth seeking online fame.
Authorities and transit organizations have issued stern warnings against subway surfing, highlighting risks such as falling, electrocution, and severe injuries. Despite being illegal on most railways worldwide, the trend continues to grow, posing challenges for enforcement and public safety campaigns.
Subway Surfing Kills Campaign
In September 2023, New York City launched the “Subway Surfing Kills – Ride Inside, Stay Alive” campaign, a multi-faceted initiative designed to combat the dangerous trend of subway surfing. This collaborative effort, spearheaded by Mayor Eric Adams, Governor Kathy Hochul, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), emphasizes youth engagement, leveraging student-created content to raise awareness among peers. The campaign seeks to deter risky behavior through public service announcements, educational outreach, and targeted interventions.
Uses A Peer-To-Peer Approach
The initiative centers on student involvement, with recent graduates from the High School of Art and Design creating compelling graphics, animations, and social media content under the guidance of city leaders. The “Subway Squad,” a team of young creatives, developed posters, digital signage, and announcements for display in schools and subway stations. By placing students at the forefront, the campaign uses a peer-to-peer approach to resonate with the youth demographic most affected by this trend.
PSA Are Sent Out Across All Medias
Key features include subway station posters, MetroCard messaging, and social media collaborations with platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. The campaign also utilizes the expertise of tech companies, including Meta and Google, to amplify its reach. Public service announcements recorded by students are broadcasted in subway stations, accompanied by visual content designed to convey the grave dangers of subway surfing.
NYPD Has Ramped Up In Effort To Combat It
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has intensified enforcement, conducted home visits and followed up with families of individuals involved in subway surfing incidents. Officers are stationed at key locations to prevent these activities, and the NYPD has tripled enforcement actions compared to 2022. Alarmingly, the MTA reported over 450 subway surfing incidents in the first half of 2023, highlighting the urgent need for this campaign.
City officials, educators, and community leaders emphasize the campaign’s life-saving potential. Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams call on parents, teachers, and peers to engage in candid discussions about the dangers of subway surfing. By blending creative messaging with robust enforcement and community involvement, the “Subway Surfing Kills” campaign represents a decisive step towards ensuring the safety of New York City’s youth and restoring confidence in public transit.
Recent Cases
The dangerous trend of subway surfing in New York City has led to a sharp increase in fatalities and enforcement actions in 2023. As of October 27, six individuals have died, surpassing the five fatalities recorded in 2022. This reckless activity involves riding on top of or between moving train cars, and social media platforms often glamorize it. As a result, these videos encourage teens to imitate the behavior, even though it poses life-threatening consequences.
Two Girls Live Changed Forever
Late one Sunday night in Queens, two teenage girls tragically fell victim to a subway surfing accident on the 7 train, once again underscoring the severe dangers of this hazardous trend. A 13-year-old girl fell between the tracks and was struck by the train, resulting in her death. Meanwhile, her 14-year-old companion suffered a fractured skull and now struggles to breathe on her own. The accident occurred near the 111th Street station in Corona, further adding to the growing number of fatalities caused by subway surfing in New York City this year.
Mayor Eric Adams expressed his heartbreak over the incident, urging social media platforms and the community to work together in combating the allure of this risky behavior. Additionally, his sentiments reflect the city’s growing frustration, as subway surfing has already claimed its sixth fatality in 2023.
An Eleven-Year-Old Boy
Cayden Thompson, an 11-year-old boy, tragically lost his life while subway surfing in New York City. The incident occurred as he rode atop a G train and struck his head on a metal overhang near the Fourth Avenue station. Cayden’s death marks the fourth subway surfing fatality in New York this year, highlighting the persistent dangers of this reckless trend.
His Uncle Feels Guilt
Cayden’s family, grief-stricken and regretful, has spoken out to warn others about the severe risks of subway surfing. Specifically, his 15-year-old uncle, Christian Vega, admitted to being deeply affected by the tragedy. Acting more as a brother figure, Christian expressed both guilt and fear, believing that Cayden may have followed his example. Moreover, Christian revealed that he, too, had engaged in subway surfing, drawn in by the thrill and adrenaline often showcased in online videos and games. Now, he vows to stop engaging in such dangerous behavior and hopes his peers will take his warning to heart: “It’s not worth your life.”
The incident also sheds light on the influence of digital platforms like social media and gaming on youth behavior. Christian mentioned that Cayden had been exposed to subway surfing videos and games, such as those on Roblox, which replicate the activity virtually. While Roblox issued a statement expressing condolences and emphasized its policies against content promoting harmful real-world behavior, concerns remain about the broader impact of such platforms in glamorizing dangerous activities.
A 13 Year Boy Tragically Passes
Adolfo Samabria, a 13-year-old boy, tragically lost his life while subway surfing on the 7 train in Queens. The accident occurred late on a Wednesday night near the Forest Avenue station. His body was discovered around 10 p.m., marking the fifth fatality in New York City this year linked to the dangerous trend of subway surfing. This activity, often fueled by the thrill and allure of social media, involves riding on the exterior of moving subway cars and has claimed several young lives despite public safety campaigns.
Adolfo’s death has left his community in deep sorrow. Friends remembered him as a bright, joyful individual who recently celebrated his 13th birthday just days before his passing. Nicknamed “Colombia” by his peers after his country of origin, Adolfo had moved to the United States only a year ago. Shocked friends and family described him as someone who brought happiness wherever he went, making his untimely death all the more devastating. Those close to him were stunned, as they believed this was likely his first attempt at subway surfing.
Drones Are Deployed To Intervene Riders
The 7-train line, known for its elevated outdoor tracks, has become a hotspot for subway surfers. To address the problem, authorities have deployed drones to monitor activity and deter offenders. However, subway riders frequently report witnessing teenagers engaging in this activity, underscoring the challenge of enforcement. Some riders have recounted seeing such incidents during their commutes, often resulting in train delays.
Families Are Calling Out For Accountability
The recent rise in subway surfing fatalities in New York City has led to legal action against major social media platforms. Families of victims, such as Norma Nazario, whose 15-year-old son Zackery tragically died in February 2023 while subway surfing, are holding platforms like TikTok and Meta accountable for their roles in promoting harmful content. Zackery died after striking his head on a steel beam while riding atop a Brooklyn-bound J train. His mother claims the platforms’ algorithms exposed her son to a stream of subway surfing videos, which she believes encouraged his behavior.
Social Media Victims Law Center
The lawsuit, supported by the Social Media Victims Law Center, alleges that social media platforms use algorithms to direct young users toward dangerous challenges while monetizing this content. Furthermore, Nazario’s lawyer, Matthew Bergman, argues that the platforms’ design is “unreasonably dangerous” and disproportionately targets impressionable teens. As a result, this claim has become part of a growing legal and societal push to hold platforms accountable for their role in amplifying risky trends.
The platforms themselves, while acknowledging the dangers of subway surfing, have defended their efforts to mitigate harm. TikTok, for instance, stated that subway surfing predates its platform and highlighted its work in removing over 10,000 videos promoting the activity. However, families argue that these measures fall short because social media platforms continue to heavily influence young users’ behavior.
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FAQs About Subway Surfing
Subway surfing involves riding on the outside of a moving train. It is extremely dangerous, with risks including falling, electrocution, or collision with obstacles, often resulting in serious injury or death.
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have amplified subway surfing by promoting videos of the activity through algorithms. This exposure encourages impressionable teens to replicate the stunts for likes and social validation.
The MTA has launched awareness campaigns like ‘Subway Surfing Kills – Ride Inside, Stay Alive’ and works with social media platforms to remove harmful content. Law enforcement uses drones and public announcements to deter the practice.
Yes, families have filed lawsuits against social media platforms like TikTok and Meta, claiming their algorithms promoted dangerous content. Some lawsuits also target the MTA for inadequate safety measures.
Parents should monitor their children’s social media use, discuss the risks of subway surfing, and encourage safer ways to seek thrills or express themselves. Open communication is key to prevention.
