The race for the perfect social-media moment is taking some influencers into increasingly dangerous waters. Videos of people swimming alongside sharks, touching them and attempting close-up selfies have gone viral—but several recent incidents show just how quickly the pursuit of online attention can turn into a serious injury.
One of the latest cases involved Tayane Dalazen, a 37-year-old Brazilian lawyer and influencer who was bitten on the thigh by a roughly seven-foot nurse shark during a shark-diving excursion in Brazil. The attack was filmed and later shared online. Dalazen said the shark held onto her leg for several seconds before releasing her, leaving multiple lacerations. (Global News)
The Rise of the “Shark Selfie”
Social media has created a powerful incentive to capture increasingly dramatic wildlife encounters. Ordinary underwater footage may attract attention, but getting close enough to touch or photograph a wild shark can produce the kind of spectacular video that quickly spreads across TikTok, Instagram and other platforms.
Marine experts say the trend is concerning because sharks are unpredictable wild animals. Researchers have also found that influencers and photographers can be among the people most likely to disregard safety instructions during shark-diving experiences. (The Guardian)
The problem is not limited to one species. Videos have shown people approaching tiger sharks and great white sharks, while other incidents have involved bull sharks and reef sharks.
More Incidents Raise Questions
Dalazen's experience follows several other alarming cases. In July, fishing influencer Henry Gibbs was reportedly badly injured by a reef shark while creating content in Fiji, with the attack nearly costing him his leg. In another widely reported incident in 2025, a Canadian tourist in Turks and Caicos suffered devastating injuries while attempting to photograph a bull shark. (Global News)
Experts stress, however, that these incidents should not create the impression that sharks are constantly attacking humans.
According to the University of Florida's International Shark Attack File, there were 65 confirmed unprovoked shark bites worldwide in 2025, broadly consistent with the recent five-year average. Shark bites remain extremely uncommon. (Global News)
Sharks Are Not Props for Social Media
Marine scientists argue that the bigger issue is what happens when people deliberately enter an animal's personal space for a photograph.
A shark may respond defensively when a swimmer touches it, blocks its movement or approaches too closely. Scientists have also raised concerns that repeated human interaction can stress sharks and potentially affect their health. (The Guardian)
The lesson for content creators is straightforward: a viral photograph is not worth turning a wild animal into a prop—or risking a life-changing injury.
As social media continues to reward increasingly extreme content, the pressure to capture the next unforgettable wildlife moment is unlikely to disappear. But experts say responsible wildlife encounters should put distance, animal welfare and human safety ahead of likes and views.
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