{"id":5151,"date":"2026-04-18T15:21:29","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T09:51:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/chasing-likes-losing-lives-how-social-media-reels-are-fueling-fatal-risks-among-youth-delhi-news\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T15:21:29","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T09:51:29","slug":"chasing-likes-losing-lives-how-social-media-reels-are-fueling-fatal-risks-among-youth-delhi-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/chasing-likes-losing-lives-how-social-media-reels-are-fueling-fatal-risks-among-youth-delhi-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Chasing likes, losing lives: How social media reels are fueling fatal risks among youth | Delhi News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130350304,imgsize-1082107,width-400,height-225,resizemode-72\/in-photo-suv-plunges-50ft-into-gorge-in-faridabad-teen-dies-incidents-across-india-highlight-the-deadly-risks-of-filming-social-media-reels.jpg\" alt=\"Chasing likes, losing lives: How social media reels are fueling fatal risks among youth\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>NEW DELHI: It often starts as a few seconds meant for the camera \u2014 a stunt, a pose or a dramatic shot. But across India, several such moments are ending not in viral fame, but in tragedy.<!-- --> In recent incidents, a series of deaths involving teenagers and young adults has drawn attention to the risks people are taking to film social media reels, with cases ranging from crashes and drownings to fatal falls and electrocution.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"3\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"-\" msid=\"130350739\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" imgsize=\"\" resizemode=\"4\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-130350739\/.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"5\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Gurgaon gorge crash: Reel attempt or overspeeding? <\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"7\"\/>A 15-year-old boy died after an SUV carrying four friends fell nearly 50 feet into a gorge in Faridabad\u2019s Sirohi village. The group was travelling in the Aravalli hills when the vehicle went off the road.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"11\"\/> <\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"15- year-old dies after Thar falls into 100-feet-deep ravine while performing 'stunts'\" msid=\"130349271\" width=\"\" title=\"15- year-old dies after Thar falls into 100-feet-deep ravine while performing 'stunts'\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" imgsize=\"\" resizemode=\"4\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-130349271\/15-year-old-dies-after-thar-falls-into-100-feet-deep-ravine-while-performing-stunts.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>15- year-old dies after Thar falls into 100-feet-deep ravine while performing &#8216;stunts&#8217;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"14\"\/>Police said the accident was due to overspeeding, while sources claimed the teenagers were filming a stunt reel near the edge of the gorge.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"16\"\/>The victim, Sohan, a Class 9 student, was declared dead at hospital. Three others were injured, with one critically. Police have booked the driver for rash driving and negligence.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"18\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Hubballi crash: Teen dies during \u2018sudden brake\u2019 reel<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"20\"\/>In Karnataka\u2019s Hubballi, another 15-year-old, Nimish Sangalad, died after being hit by an Audi car driven by his friend while they were filming a reel. The incident took place when the teenagers attempted to capture a \u201csudden brake\u201d stunt.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"24\"\/> <\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The 15-year-old son of a Karnataka BJP leader died in an accident in Hubbali\" msid=\"130349343\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" imgsize=\"\" resizemode=\"4\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-130349343\/the-15-year-old-son-of-a-karnataka-bjp-leader-died-in-an-accident-in-hubbali.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"27\"\/>Police said Nimish was riding an electric scooter when the Audi approached from the opposite direction. \u201cThey aimed at shooting a sudden brake. However, Nimish\u2019s friend failed to apply the brakes and lost control. Nimish died on the spot,\u201d he said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"29\"\/>The driver, also a teenager, has been detained. Police reiterated that despite repeated warnings, minors continue to operate vehicles without parental knowledge.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"32\"\/><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"33\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">UP: Reel gone wrong inside home<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"35\"\/>In Lucknow\u2019s Madiaon area, 18-year-old Mohammad Zakir died while filming a social media reel of a hanging scene inside his home. He lost balance during the shoot and was later declared dead after three days in hospital.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"37\"\/> <\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"(Photo credit: AI)\" msid=\"130349423\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" imgsize=\"\" resizemode=\"4\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-130349423\/photo-credit-ai.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"40\"\/> In another incident in Gorakhpur, four teenage boys aged between 13 and 15 drowned in the Rapti River while attempting to shoot reels and record videos in water. One friend survived and alerted locals, while the bodies were later recovered.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"43\"\/><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"44\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Nagpur stepwell death: slip turns fatal<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"46\"\/>In Maharashtra\u2019s Nagpur, 18-year-old college student Aniket Sontakke drowned after falling into a deep stepwell while filming reels. He had gone to Velahari with friends specifically to create content.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"48\"\/> <\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"-\" msid=\"130349432\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" imgsize=\"\" resizemode=\"4\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-130349432\/.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"51\"\/>According to police, he lost balance while trying to retrieve slippers that had fallen into the water. Despite rescue efforts, he could not be saved. A case of accidental death has been registered.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"53\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Guwahati bridge fall: Reel attempt ends in death<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"55\"\/>In Assam\u2019s Guwahati, 18-year-old labourer Rabil Ali died after falling from the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Bridge while attempting to film a reel on the railings.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"58\"\/> <\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"(Photo credit: AI)\" msid=\"130349466\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" imgsize=\"\" resizemode=\"4\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-130349466\/photo-credit-ai.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"61\"\/>Police said he lost balance and fell onto a sandbar below. His companions have been detained for questioning. Authorities are investigating the exact circumstances of the fall.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"63\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Madhya Pradesh: Reel on train turns fatal<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"65\"\/>In Madhya Pradesh\u2019s Datia district, a 17-year-old boy, Aniket Ahirwar, died after being electrocuted while filming a reel on top of a stationary freight train.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"67\"\/>He came into contact with a high-voltage overhead wire and suffered severe burns. <!-- -->He was declared dead at hospital.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"71\"\/><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"72\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">UP&#8217;s Meerut water tank fall<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"74\"\/>A 17-year-old boy in Meerut died after falling from a 150-foot-high water tank while filming a video. <span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"76\"\/> <\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"(Photo credit: AI)\" msid=\"130349517\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" imgsize=\"\" resizemode=\"4\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-130349517\/photo-credit-ai.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"79\"\/>He slipped while descending and later succumbed to his injuries during treatment. His family declined legal action.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"81\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Kalaburagi tractor incident<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"83\"\/>In Karnataka\u2019s Kalaburagi, 22-year-old tractor driver Lokesha Kallappa Pujari died after falling under his vehicle while filming a reel during work.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"86\"\/> <\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"(Photo credit: AI)\" msid=\"130350095\" width=\"\" title=\"(PHOTO CREDIT: AI)\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" imgsize=\"\" resizemode=\"4\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-130350095\/photo-credit-ai.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(PHOTO CREDIT: AI)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"89\"\/> He was steering with one hand and recording with the other when he lost balance and was run over.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"91\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Surat high-speed crash<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"93\"\/>In Gujarat\u2019s Surat, 18-year-old Prince Patel died after crashing his motorcycle into a divider while riding at high speed.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"95\"\/> <\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"(Photo credit: AI)\" msid=\"130350260\" width=\"\" title=\"PHOTO CREDIT: AI\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" imgsize=\"\" resizemode=\"4\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-130350260\/photo-credit-ai.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>PHOTO CREDIT: AI<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"98\"\/>Known for posting biking reels, he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"100\"\/><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"101\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">How the obsession with reels is driving risky behaviour<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"103\"\/>Experts say the rise of short-video platforms has created intense pressure among young users to produce engaging and viral content. <!-- -->The desire for likes, followers and recognition often pushes them to attempt risky stunts without understanding the consequences.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"107\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"-\" msid=\"130350760\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" imgsize=\"\" resizemode=\"4\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-130350760\/.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"109\"\/>Psychologists point out that social validation plays a key role. Young individuals may equate online popularity with success, leading them to take extreme risks for attention. Many are also influenced by content creators who perform dangerous stunts, assuming they can replicate them safely.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"112\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">What authorities are saying<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"114\"\/>Police officials across states have repeatedly warned against reckless behaviour linked to social media content creation. In several cases, authorities highlighted that minors were operating vehicles or accessing dangerous locations without supervision.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"116\"\/>Officials stressed the need for parents to monitor their children\u2019s activities more closely. They also pointed out that many accidents could have been prevented with basic precautions such as avoiding hazardous locations, wearing safety gear, and following traffic rules.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"119\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">What needs to change<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"121\"\/>Experts believe that addressing this growing problem requires a multi-pronged approach:<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"123\"\/>Stronger awareness campaigns: Schools and colleges must educate students about the dangers of unsafe content creation.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"125\"\/>Parental supervision: Families need to be more vigilant about children\u2019s activities, especially online behaviour.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"127\"\/>Platform responsibility: Social media platforms could introduce stricter guidelines and warnings against dangerous stunts.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"130\"\/>Law enforcement: Authorities may need to impose stricter penalties for risky behaviour, especially involving minors.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"132\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">The bigger picture<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"134\"\/>These incidents are not isolated. Together, they point to a larger societal issue where the line between entertainment and danger is becoming increasingly blurred. <span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"136\"\/><\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"-\" msid=\"130350804\" width=\"\" title=\"\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" imgsize=\"\" resizemode=\"4\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/msid-130350804\/.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The accessibility of smartphones and social media has made content creation easy, but it has also exposed young users to risks they may not fully comprehend.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"140\"\/>The tragedies also highlight how quickly a moment of thrill can turn into irreversible loss. Many of the victims were teenagers with their entire lives ahead of them, and in several cases, the accidents occurred in the presence of friends who could do little to prevent the outcome.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"142\"\/><span class=\"strong\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">Conclusion<\/span><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"144\"\/>The growing number of deaths linked to social media reels serves as a stark warning. While technology has opened new avenues for creativity and expression, it has also created a culture where risk-taking is often rewarded with attention.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"146\"\/>Unless awareness, responsibility and caution take precedence over the pursuit of viral fame, such incidents are likely to continue. The stories from across India underline a painful truth\u2014no number of likes or views is worth a life.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/city\/delhi\/chasing-likes-losing-lives-how-social-media-reels-are-fueling-fatal-risks-among-youth\/articleshow\/130348916.cms\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEW DELHI: It often starts as a few seconds meant for the camera \u2014 a stunt, a pose or a dramatic shot. But across India, several such moments are ending not in viral fame, but in tragedy. In recent incidents, a series of deaths involving teenagers and young adults has drawn attention to the risks [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5152,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[150],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-5151","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-delhi"},"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5151"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5151\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/banitoday.com\/hi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}