Selfie Stick Backlash: Devices Banned From Music Festivals, As East Village Explosion Photo Causes Outrage

Selfie sticks are receiving a lot of backlash lately. These new devices have become popular at tourist attractions, amusement parks, and music festivals. Well, not anymore. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, selfie sticks have been banned at Coachella in California and at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Some music lovers are fearing that monopods could be also be banned at other popular music festival like the Gov Ball and Bonnarroo. So far, the New York’s Gov Ball only says tripods aren’t allowed, while Bonnarroo in Tennessee doesn’t have a ban list.

Coachella’s festival information section says that “selfie sticks/narcissists” are not allowed in the perimeters of the outdoor music festival. Other items not allowed at the music festival include blankets, drones, and hula-hoops. However, Coachella does allow the Go Pro camera as long as it’s not attached to an extender or pole, as noted by the iDigital Times.

Lollapalooza, on the other hand, doesn’t allow the use of Go Pro Cameras or any of the sort. Their FAQ section states the following: “GoPro attachments like sticks, selfie sticks & monopods”.

The selfie stick ban isn’t just taking place at U.S. music festivals. The devices have also been banned at countless museums and tourist attractions around the globe. Both museums in the U.S. and Europe have banned selfie sticks, according to ABC 10 News. Some avid photographers and selfie lovers would say that the selfie stick is convenient for taking a group photo. Meanwhile, others think it gets rid of the arm shot that’s seen in countless selfies. But there are some that find selfie sticks annoying, as it could obstruct someone’s view.

The selfie stick ban may continue in other tourists attractions in the U.S. after a photo of a woman smiling outside the East Village explosion site caused its share of controversy on social media. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the photo went viral on the internet – and for all the wrong reasons. This selfie shows a woman smiling and giving the peace sign outside the NYC East Village explosion site.

That’s not the only selfie that was taken. The report says there was also a group of women taking a photo with what else, but a selfie stick, outside the area. The women reportedly giggled and smiled as they huddled for a group photo. Luckily for them, the photo made the cover of the New York Post along with the headline, “Village Idiots.”

Gulflive reported that Christina Freundlich was one of the woman in the photo. She apologized for taking the selfie outside of the Manhattan building explosion. Freundlich released a statement saying: “It was inconsiderate to those hurt in the crash and to the city of New York. What happened last week in the East Village is not to be taken lightly and I regret my course of action.” The other women in the group selfie have yet to make a comment.

PC Magazine wrote an article on why selfie sticks “need to be stopped.” Contributor Sascha Segan believes that even though the devices can help capture memories, it can also come across as goofy and narcissistic to other people. These wands can also become bothersome and annoying for nearby tourists.

That hasn’t stopped the release of the iPad selfie stick. AccessoryGeeks just debuted the selfie stick for the iPad Air 2 or later. It costs $18.99 and comes in two colors. That is, if you’re loud and proud about using a selfie stick on your tablet in public.

What are your thoughts on the selfie stick? Do you think it should be banned at concerts and tourist attractions across the globe?

[Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images]