The heartbreaking deaths of two young girls found atop a Brooklyn-bound subway train on Saturday morning have brought attention to the growing phenomenon of subway surfing, a dangerous trend where people ride on top of moving trains.
Zemfira Mukhtarov, 12, of Brooklyn, and Ebba Morina, 13, died following this dangerous trend. The incident marks the latest in a troubling surge of subway surfing-related fatalities in New York City.
The New York Police Department reports that 18 subway surfers have lost their lives in 2023 and 2024 alone, 12 of those in 2024.
In response to this alarming spike, New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow called the deaths a ‘tragic reminder’ of the extreme hazards posed by the practice.
Subway surfing, once a rare daredevil stunt, has gained increasing popularity thanks to viral social media posts.
What is Subway surfing?
Social media platforms, particularly Instagram and TikTok, have been found to play a significant role in encouraging risky behaviours like subway surfing.
Videos of teens riding on top of trains, often glorified as exciting challenges, have gained millions of views, making the activity seem like a cool or daring trend to impressionable teens.
This digital influence has intensified in recent years, with the number of subway surfing incidents in New York City increasing by over 350% from 199 in 2020 to 928 in 2023.
But the issue is more than just a viral trend; it is a symptom of deeper societal problems.
With an increase in diagnoses of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders among adolescents, many teens are turning to dangerous activities like subway surfing as a form of escape.
One teenager, Michael, who suffers from multiple mental health conditions, admitted to starting subway surfing as a way to cope with problems at home.
The impact of subway surfing
In the wake of these tragic deaths, city officials and mental health advocates are urging a multifaceted approach to tackle the root causes of subway surfing.
While some have called for more severe punishments and arrests for those caught in the act, experts argue that punitive measures alone are not enough to address the larger issues at play.
While social media companies have removed thousands of videos, experts argue that this approach is insufficient and ultimately counterproductive.
Instead, the focus should be on long-term systemic changes, including better mental health support for teens, improved safety infrastructure on trains, and increased access to healthier outlets for self-expression.
Countries like South Korea have implemented more effective infrastructure reforms to prevent subway surfing, including platform barriers and train cars that prevent passengers from accessing dangerous spaces between cars.
Such changes, though costly, have proven effective at reducing the risk of accidents. In addition to these safety measures, local governments should focus on expanding mental health services for young people and creating accessible programs in schools and communities to help teens cope in healthier ways.