Social media platforms are an everyday part of life, with billions of users spending an average of 2 hours and 24 minutes daily on multiple platforms. For the most part, social media sites have a positive impact. They allow people to connect with friends, family, and the world around them. There are even educational benefits to be found on social media platforms. With these platforms have come a slew of memorable viral challenges, such as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which helped raise awareness and millions of dollars, or themed dinner challenges that encourage families to spend time together.

Unfortunately, with the good comes the bad. Foolish and dangerous trends, some of which can be fatal, have become a growing problem with viral social media posts. How anyone ever got the idea to consume laundry detergent and then turn it into a viral challenge is mind-boggling. The fact that people become influenced enough to carry on such challenges, encouraging more dangerous trends, is even more mind-boggling. One of the latest dangerous social media challenges making the news is subway jumping in New York.

Subway jumping is when individuals ride atop a moving subway car. It is not new in any way—people have been foolishly doing it for years. However, the influence and reach of social media have created an increase in the trend. As of October 2024, the NYPD has reported hundreds of arrests of people attempting the challenge. Tragically, the challenge has already claimed the lives of 6 young people this year. In response, Mayor Adams has approved the use of drone technology to help curb subway jumping incidents while educating people about the dangers of the challenge.

Mayor Adams, a self-proclaimed technology nerd, has been a huge advocate of using drone technology in New York City. Under his leadership, he has promoted the use of drones for monitoring safety during large crowd events, used them to deliver public announcements in advance of incoming severe storms, deployed drones to address the collapse of a parking garage, implemented lifeguarding drones along public beaches, overseen the development of advanced emergency training programs, and more. Now, he has commissioned the NYPD to monitor subway stations with drones to catch people risking their lives for a social media challenge.

NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry explained that officers use drones to monitor popular subway jumping spots, particularly during after-school hours. If an officer spots someone on top of a train, they report it to an officer waiting outside the nearest station stop. When the train stops, the officer apprehends the individual. At a press conference addressing the drone program, Mayor Adams stated, “What we do know, based on this technology, is that over 100 young people between the ages of 9 and 33 were identified and removed from off the top of a train.” As the drone pilot program revealed such staggering numbers, Mayor Adams said the NYPD would increase the presence of drones.

Commissioner Daughtry went on to explain that the drones are providing officers with more than just an opportunity to monitor subways. “After every subway surfing incident, we share the drone footage with each parent,” Commissioner Daughtry said. “Open conversations at home are critical,” he explained, in helping prevent further incidents and saving lives. He said that the drones have saved 114 lives, not just by helping officers apprehend subway surfers but by providing kids and their families with indisputable documentation of the dangers behind this challenge.

In addition to ramping up the drone program, Mayor Adams said the city is also in communication with social media platforms to remove any posts that support this and other dangerous challenges. If people don’t have access to seeing these life-threatening challenges, they cannot become viral. After a 13-year-old boy died attempting the challenge, Mayor Adams posted the following on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Heartbroken to hear that subway surfing — and the pursuit of social media clout — has stolen another life.

We are doing everything we can to raise awareness against this dangerous trend, but we need all New Yorkers — and our social media companies — to do their part, too.” He concluded by stating, “No post is worth your future.” Ultimately, while social media can be a powerful tool for connection and positive change, everyone must recognize the responsibility that comes with it and work together to prevent dangerous trends from claiming more lives.

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