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What is the TikTok subway surfing trend? Viral trend explained after teen deaths
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What is the TikTok subway surfing trend? Viral trend explained after teen deaths

Thrill-seeking kids and teens ride moving trains in the social media trend called “subway surfing,” an ode to mobile gaming.

On October 23, 13 years old. Adolfo Sanabria Sorzano died after attempting the subway surfing challenge in Queens, New York.

A few days later, in the same area, on October 27, A 13-year-old girl named Krystel Romero died after participating in the social media trend, while her friend was rushed to the hospital.

The trend has gone so far that one parent even tried suing the platform after his son died attempting the viral subway surfing trend in 2023.

Dangerous ‘subway surfing’ trend explained

Subway surfing, sometimes called train surfing, is the act of riding on or off a moving train. It is extremely risky and can lead to falls, electrocution or limb amputations.

The trend is a real-life imitation of the popular game Subway Surfers, where characters race on fast-moving trains to collect coins and other surprises.

In 2023, there were four deaths due to suspected boating on the New York City subway, compared to five total deaths between 2018 and 2022, according to the report. Metropolitan Transit Authority reported. This resulted in the removal of more than 10,000 videos and photos related to subway surfing from social media.

The MTA said the number of reports of children surfing the subway has quadrupled since 2021, from 206 to 928.

Due to the growing number, NYPD Transit Bureau Chief Joseph Gulotta said the city is deploying drones to safeguard against the problem.

“We have a drone program that is on that J line, on that 7 line, where we predominantly see it,” Gulotta said. “We are hitting social networks hard. We are publishing videos with parents. “We are showing the effects that this has on it.”

Following the death of Krystel Romero, Mayor Eric Adams also commented on the “dangerous trend” and said the city is working diligently to end the subway surfing challenge.

“It pains me to hear that subway surfing – and the pursuit of influence on social media – has stolen another life,” Adams said. “We are doing everything we can to raise awareness against this dangerous trend, but we need all New Yorkers and our social media companies to do their part too. No position is worth your future.”

This is just the latest TikTok craze that experts are warning against, as dozens of trends have been considered. too dangerous.