Media-based clinical research on selfie-related injuries and deaths

The incidence of taking selfies and sharing them on social media as well as selfie-related behaviors is increasing, particularly among young people, possible leading to selfie-related trauma. Therefore, we performed this clinical study to draw attention to selfie-related injuries and deaths.

We analyzed 159 selfie victims from 111 events or accidents, which were reported in the media sources. We evaluated vital results, demography, rhythmicity, preferences, event or accident types, selfie-related risk factors, affected body regions of victims with causes of injury, and death.

We found that the majority of selfie victims were students. Selfie-related injuries and deaths were reported most frequently in India, the US, and Russia. The most preferred site of taking selfies was the edge of the cliff. The most frequently reported event or accident type was falling from a height. Mostly multiple body parts were affected in selfie-related injuries and deaths. The most frequent causes of selfie-related deaths were multitrauma and drowning.

Selfie-related injuries and deaths have increased in the past years. Particularly, teenagers and young adults are at high risk for selfie-related traumas and deaths; therefore, drastic measures should be taken to reduce their incidence.