Hyderabad: Social Media Trends Turning Into Trouble
Making ‘Reels’ or short videos and sharing them on social media has become incredibly popular. However, in Hyderabad, many young people are taking this trend too far. To gain more followers and likes, they are engaging in dangerous and illegal activities, often without considering the consequences.
In their quest for social media fame, some individuals have started performing risky stunts, such as dangerous bike tricks and throwing money in public places. These actions not only break traffic rules but also disturb the peace and order in the city.
Many of these videos go viral on social media, showing creators pulling off stunts in crowded markets, parks, heritage sites, and busy roads. While social media has made some people famous, it has also led to tragic outcomes, including the deaths of some creators while filming these videos.
A recent study by Statista revealed that over 30% of children under 12 years old want to become vloggers and influencers. This highlights the growing influence of social media on young minds, with only 25% aspiring to become educators and 11% wanting to be astronauts.
Recently, an incident caught the attention of internet users and the Hyderabad City police. Three content creators were booked for their unlawful actions. One young man, dressed in a burqa, was seen riding a bike and harassing women on the streets. Another was caught on camera throwing money in the middle of a busy road. A third individual was detained for making Instagram reels in the Bandlaguda police station area.
Following the viral spread of these reels, the police took action and filed cases under various sections of the law. The youth wearing a burqa was charged under sections 125, 79, 319(2), 296 r/w 3(5) BNS, and section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act. The person who threw currency notes on the road was booked under sections 336, 341, 290 of the IPC, along with sections 292, 126(2), and 125 of the BNS.
Social activists are concerned that these digital content creators are causing chaos in the city simply for online popularity. They emphasize that while social media is a great platform to showcase talents, it can also be harmful if misused. Asif Hussain Sohail, an activist, pointed out that social media is a double-edged sword.
On platforms like Instagram, creators frequently post videos of themselves performing stunts on bikes, auto-rickshaws, and cars. They also prank the general public and disturb traffic, putting everyone at risk. Such reckless behavior is increasing day by day.
Observers believe that these creators are endangering lives by performing rash stunts, such as standing on bikes, doing wheelies, and skidding on roads. To prevent further harm, they suggest that the police should apprehend and counsel these individuals about safe riding. Parents should also be informed about the dangerous activities their children are involved in, and reliable influencers should promote safer ways to create content.
Following several incidents involving content creators, some people believe that the police and traffic authorities should conduct awareness drives and take strict action against those who break the law. Mohammed Muzammil, an observer, stressed the need for a crackdown on such activities.
Police officials confirmed that they are booking cases against social media creators involved in unlawful acts. Anyone performing stunts on roads will face charges under section 268 of the IPC and section 70(b) of the Police Act for creating a nuisance and endangering the lives of others.
