Social Media Influencers Spark Rise in Shark Attacks, Scientists Warn

by

Studies on shark attacks indicate that social media influencers might be contributing to an increase in such occurrences.

Researchers have highlighted that some people seeking to take selfies with dangerous predator fish could be one of the contributing factors.

According to The Times, Professor Eric Clua from PSL University in France pointed out that statistically speaking, dogs pose a greater danger to humans compared to sharks. He explained that shark attacks result in fewer than 10 human fatalities annually worldwide, while dogs are responsible for over 10,000 deaths each year and are generally viewed favorably by the public.

Scientists dumbfounded by influencers seeking sharks

It’s far more common for humans to come across a dog rather than a shark, however, Clua argues that the surge of influencers seeking unique content is directly contributing to an upsurge in shark attacks.

He stated, “Unlike some popular figures on social media, I advise against holding onto a shark’s dorsal fin or petting it, as it may give the impression that they are not dangerous.

Clue mentioned that he and his fellow scientists utilized the “Shark Attack Records”, which date back to the 1800s and document all reported shark attacks worldwide, to distinguish between aggressive and defensive shark encounters within their study group.

Clua pointed out that because sharks often react suddenly when bitten, any action – even seemingly harmless ones like touching their snout or trying to save them – might be perceived by the shark as a danger or threat.

Beyond simply decreasing the frequency of these bites in the field, we anticipate that one significant outcome of our research could be influencing the perspective and approach of journalists, encouraging them to scrutinize more closely the circumstances where such bites take place, according to Clua’s explanation of the study’s objectives.

Clua’s advice? “Don’t touch.” Smart.

In a video posted in February 2023, scuba divers shared on TikTok a clip of them keeping their distance from a shark that became popular online. The divers didn’t try to get closer to the shark.

Read More

2025-04-26 18:18