The recent tragedy in Himachal Pradesh, where two teenagers died while attempting to shoot a reel in snow-covered terrain, has triggered strong reactions from digital experts and social commentators. Entrepreneur Gauravv Saxena called the incident a “warning sign society can’t afford to ignore.”
Speaking about the teenagers trekking into the high-altitude Barmani range despite weather alerts, he said the pressure to go viral is pushing children into dangerous spaces.
“The attention economy has turned real life into a stage,” he said. “If the IMD issues a yellow or orange alert or if you need professional gear you don’t have, it’s no longer a creative shoot—it’s a hazard. Creativity should make your life better, not end it.”
Highlighting the rising digital dependence among minors, he pointed out that nearly 95% of Indians aged 10–17 are now active on social media, with over 11% already displaying signs of addiction.
“Teenagers are being pushed to build a ‘personal brand’ before they even understand who they are. The part of the brain that handles impulse control matures only in the mid-20s. So a like feels like an instant reward, while the consequences of a risky stunt feel distant and unreal.”
One detail of the Himachal incident that has moved people across the country is the victims’ pet dog staying beside the bodies for four days in sub-zero temperatures.
“That dog didn’t stay there for an audience or for views,” Gauravv said. “It stayed out of pure attachment. At a time when we measure connection by followers, this is a reminder that the deepest bonds are silent, physical and real.”
He warned that society is unintentionally rewarding hazardous content through views, likes and shares. “Every time someone engages with a dangerous stunt video, they’re encouraging more of it. Influencers often hide the safety teams behind the scenes, so young viewers assume they can casually try the same thing.”
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Calling for digital responsibility from creators, parents, schools and tech companies, Gauravv said the tragedy should prompt a national conversation on online behaviour. “Life is not a reel. No amount of likes is worth stepping into danger,” he said.
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