Crazy Things People Do to Make Their Facebook Posts and YouTube Videos Go Viral

When we log on to Facebook (considering you are one of those rare people who don't have Facebook always logged on), it prompts you to tell the world what you are up to today. For most of us, the day is ordinary: work emails, children's calls, laundry, perhaps watching recipe videos. We can post about the holiday, share feelings about a friendship that turned sour, boast about the summer camp the kids are attending — but these kinds of posts don't go viral.

Let's look at what people have done to make their posts and videos go viral.

Pedro Ruiz was a wannabe YouTuber. Along with his girlfriend, he recorded everything they did daily and posted the videos on YouTube. They had a following but wanted more viewers. So a bright(?) idea struck them: Pedro asked his girlfriend to shoot him in the chest, believing a heavy book held against his chest would act as a shield against the bullet. They thought this brave, dangerous act would make them famous. They were right — they became headlines for a day, perhaps a week. Pedro died: the bullet went through the book into his chest. His girlfriend later pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

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In June 2017, a newlywed couple in Sri Lanka tried to take the perfect selfie on a railway track at Kahawa in the Southern Province. A train came through, killing the 24-year-old groom and seriously injuring his bride — even as bystanders reportedly warned them the train was coming.

Selfie-deaths have risen over the years — there is even a Wikipedia page documenting them. All in search of the perfect shot, or to increase likes and popularity.

Life on social media has blown out of proportion. It's time to hit the brakes.