Summary
Subway surfing is when people ride on the outside of trains, which is dangerous and has caused multiple deaths and injuries in New York City. The rise of social media has made the trend more popular, but despite efforts from authorities to stop it, people continue to engage in this risky activity. Social media companies are facing lawsuits, but it's unclear if their platforms are the main reason for this trend.
Key Facts
- Subway surfing involves riding on the exterior of trains, typically on the roof or sides.
- This trend dates back to the 19th century when people tried to avoid paying train fares.
- Social media has increased the visibility and popularity of subway surfing videos.
- There have been recent deaths, including two girls on a New York subway, due to this trend.
- Authorities in New York have used drones and public campaigns to prevent subway surfing.
- Social media companies like Meta and ByteDance face lawsuits from parents of victims.
- The NYPD reported 229 arrests related to subway surfing last year.
