Are your selfies safe?
In the age of social media, snapping the perfect selfie can sometimes turn deadly — and a new study by The Barber Law Firm reveals where it’s most dangerous to try to capture the shot.
The firm’s researchers looked into selfie-related incidents around the world from March 2014 to May 2025. Using news reports sourced from Google News, the study included cases where attempting a selfie directly led to injury or death.
India emerged as the most dangerous country in the world, accounting for a staggering 42.1% of all selfie-related incidents globally. Out of 271 selfie-induced casualties reported in India, 214 were deaths and 57 were injuries.
Researchers point to a combination of densely populated areas, easy access to risky environments — such as cliffs and train tracks — and a strong social media culture as contributing factors.
Fortunately, this time America is not leading the way.
The United States ranked second, with many fewer deaths. The US only recorded 45 total casualties — including 37 deaths and 8 injuries.
Russia came in third with 19 casualties —18 deaths and 1 injury.
While these numbers are significantly lower than India’s, they still highlight a worrying pattern, especially in tourist-heavy locations where people are tempted to capture dangerous moments.
Pakistan ranked fourth — with 16 deaths and 0 injuries, and Australia rounded out the top 5 with 13 selfie deaths and only two injuries.
According to the study, the most common cause of selfie-related fatalities worldwide is falling, making up 46% of all incidents. Whether it’s from rooftops, cliffs, or tall structures — height-related accidents continue to be the most frequent and often the most fatal.
Anything to get the perfect shot, right?
“Our research highlights a troubling trend where the pursuit of social media validation is literally costing lives. The perfect photo simply isn’t worth the danger,” Kris Barber, Founder and Principal Attorney at The Barber Law Firm, said in a statement.
“What’s particularly concerning is that most of these tragedies could have been avoided by taking a few steps back or finding a safer vantage point.”
The top 10 most dangerous countries to take a selfie
1. India, 271 affected
2. United States, 45
3. Russia, 19
4. Pakistan, 16
5. Australia, 15
6. Indonesia, 14
7. Kenya, 13
8. United Kingdom, 13
9. Spain, 13
10. Brazil, 13
With the continued popularity of platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the pressure to capture stunning, adventurous selfies is more intense than ever.
Experts suggest that this desire for viral content often overrides basic safety, leading people to take unnecessary and sometimes fatal risks — which has been seen all too often with deadly TikTok challenges, as well.
Just recently, a tourist in India who attempted to snap a photo with an elephant was subsequently severely injured after being trampled and stripped — revealing his bare behind for all manner of beasts to bear witness.
It was a reckless and embarrassing stunt that, fortunately, only ended with a shocking video and not his life.
“There are always safer alternatives to capture beautiful moments without putting yourself at risk. No amount of likes or shares can justify endangering your life,” Barber said of the risk of selfie stunts.
Read the full article here
