On Saturday morning, New York City police discovered the bodies of two girls, ages 12 and 13, who are believed to have died while attempting “subway surfing.” This social media-driven trend has resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities among teenagers in recent years. Statistics from the NYPD reveal that arrests for subway surfing increased from 135 in 2022 to 229 in 2023, primarily involving boys around 14 years old, with the youngest being only 9. Notably, six individuals died while subway surfing in 2024, compared to five in the prior year.
Subway surfing, which involves riding on top of moving subway cars, has been in existence for over a century but has gained prominence through platforms like TikTok. Authorities have raised concerns, labeling the activity as extremely dangerous. In response, public awareness campaigns have been launched, including one featuring artist Cardi B, alongside efforts to enhance detection methods using drones and camera systems. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has also initiated campaigns such as “Ride inside, stay alive,” targeting school children who rely on the subway for their daily commutes.
Additionally, the MTA is piloting new physical barriers, like circular rubber tubing, to prevent individuals from climbing between subway cars, an effort to mitigate these dangerous behaviors.
- Why it matters:
The rise in subway surfing poses significant safety risks for young individuals, prompting actions from authorities aimed at protecting students and reducing fatalities. - The latest:
The MTA is testing physical barriers to prevent subway surfing and has reported that these measures are currently holding up well.
Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/what-is-subway-surfing-and-why-this-viral-tiktok-challenge-is-killing-kids-in-new-york-article-152946152
Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/what-is-subway-surfing-and-why-this-viral-tiktok-challenge-is-killing-kids-in-new-york-article-152946152