This refers to the editorial, “The deadly selfie craze” (October 5). India has been hit by different types of preventable deaths. The new phenomenon that has choked the country is the ‘selfie deaths’. In 2014-2016, India has had the dubious distinction of topping the list in selfie related deaths in the world. The country accounted for 60 per cent of all global selfie deaths. ‘Selfitis’ has snuffed bright young lives out and severely crippled a lot of dreamy eyed ones. Sea sides, highways, mountain cliffs, high buildings, railway tracks are some of the points where selfie indulgers have killed themselves. As technology evolves, the limitless innovation it has brought along with it is suffocating.
All selfie obsessed men and women eye a ‘milestone’ or ‘appreciation’ from their ‘likers’ on social media. The ingrained inclination to bask in their ‘glorious moments’ have further emboldeend the selfie maniacs. Both over confidence and low self esteem, ironically, contribute to selfie deaths. Governments should maintain ‘selfie death registers’ and report such deaths to create awareness among the parents to put brakes on the youngsters so that vulnerable selfie addicts can be counselled. In Mumbai, ‘no selfie zone’ boards have come up in 16 places, mainly near the coastal line. Whether or not the people will pay heed to the warnings is another matter. However, the Government and the public should act in tandem to put an end to the hazardous ‘selfie’ past time.