Social media Fame – A Dangerous Obsession Among Youth
In today’s digital world, where viral fame is just a few likes away, social media has become both a stage and a trap for young people. Platforms like Instagram etc have turned attention into currency — and for some, no price seems too high to pay. From rooftops to rail tracks, Indian youth have increasingly flirted with danger in their pursuit of dramatic “reels.” The latest incident in Odisha is a chilling example: a teenager risked his life by lying flat on railway tracks as a speeding train thundered over him — all for a few seconds of viral content.
The Stunt That Could Have Been Fatal
The heart-stopping video, filmed near Talupali close to Purunapani station in Odisha’s Boudh district, shows a teenage boy lying motionless between the rails as a train roars overhead. His friends, also minors, coordinated the stunt — one filming the sequence, another encouraging from the sidelines.
After the train passed, the boy stood up unscathed, triggering wild celebrations among the group. They filmed his triumphant moment and proudly shared it online. The clip, however, triggered public outrage and prompted swift intervention by authorities.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) officials acted immediately. “This is an extremely dangerous act that could have ended in death,” said an RPF inspector, noting that a slight miscalculation could have led to tragedy. All three minors were identified and detained, though only two were directly involved in the stunt. The third, while present, will likely not face legal action.
Inside the Minds of the Teens
Perhaps the most alarming revelation came from the teen himself, who later admitted: “It wasn’t my idea. My friends came up with it. I just lay there. My heart was racing. I didn’t expect to survive.” His admission underscores how peer pressure and the lure of online validation can override basic instinct for self-preservation.
Officials are considering presenting the two primary offenders before the Juvenile Justice Board. Simultaneously, local police, in coordination with the RPF, have launched awareness campaigns in nearby villages to warn against the deadly consequences of such reckless behavior.
Not the First, and Likely Not the Last
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Over the past few years, India has witnessed a surge in stunt-related deaths and injuries, driven largely by the viral reel culture.
In 2022, a 19-year-old boy in Uttar Pradesh was killed while filming a video in front of a moving train. In another case in Madhya Pradesh, a student was run over while attempting a stunt near a railway crossing, phone still recording in hand. And earlier this year, two friends in Maharashtra drowned after filming themselves jumping off a bridge into a flooded river.
Despite repeated warnings from authorities and frequent tragic headlines, the thrill of viral stunts continues to attract impressionable youth — emboldened by followers, comments, and fleeting online fame.
Social Media’s Role and the Need for Intervention
While social media platforms allow creative expression, they also fuel a toxic validation culture. Algorithms often reward risk-taking behavior with visibility, encouraging young users to push limits for attention. The Odisha incident serves as a brutal reminder of the dangers of unmonitored digital behavior.
Parents and educators must be proactive in addressing this trend. Digital literacy, safety workshops, and parental oversight are more crucial than ever. Equally important is cooperation from social media platforms — to flag and remove dangerous content before it inspires imitation.
A Wake-Up Call for All
The Odisha railway stunt is not just a reckless act by a few teenagers — it is a symptom of a larger issue gripping our youth: the obsession with viral relevance. While the boy survived this time, luck is a flimsy shield against the very real dangers of such behavior.
Authorities must crack down on such stunts, social media platforms must do more to regulate harmful content, and families must have deeper conversations about the cost of online fame. Because in this dangerous chase for clicks and clout, the next reel could be someone’s last.
(With agency inputs)
