We all like listening to music or watching a funny video on the way home from work or the nearby coffee shop.
But if you’re a woman, there’s a new PSA that advises against this.
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This came after a TikToker was unknowingly followed home by a man. The only reason she didn’t know? She was wearing headphones and couldn’t hear what was going on around her.
This PSA was shared by TikToker @lyss.
It’s quickly gone viral, gaining 440,000 views and tens of thousands of likes.
The video began with Lyss walking through busy New York streets as she informs viewers that they should never “wear your headphones while you’re walking somewhere.”
She said that just a day prior, she was walking home from the Starbucks near her apartment.
While she’s done this walk hundreds of times before, this time was different: she had her headphones in, transfixed on a video her friend sent her on Instagram.
While she was fixated on her phone and not her surroundings, she didn’t notice that a man had started to follow her.
“I wasn’t paying attention to anything around me,” she said. Thankfully, a good samaritan was. This woman tried to get Lyss’s attention to let her know that the man was following her home.
But since Lyss was “so zoned in” on her phone, she couldn’t hear the woman screaming to get her attention.
She also didn’t notice that the man had followed her into the lobby of her apartment building. She said that the only reason she heard the woman was because she was “excessively screaming.”
This finally got her attention. “I took my headphones out and I was so confused.”
She said that the man who had been following her was standing in the lobby behind her.
“He was holding something in his pocket and the second I turned around and saw him, he fled.”
Thankfully, Lyss’ apartment complex has security cameras and they are working with the police to track this man down.
Unsurprisingly, she called this one of the “scariest things” that has ever happened to her, adding that the whole experience has left her traumatized.
“I don’t even want to walk outside in New York without having a friend near me or someone next to me,” she said.
She ended her video by sharing her biggest takeaway from the situation: “If I could give you any advice, it would be to not walk with your headphones in when you’re not paying attention.”
While she said not to do so in New York City, this advice applies anywhere in the world.
She also gave her thanks to the woman who she referred to as her “guardian angel.” If it hadn’t been for her, who knows what could’ve happened.
Many users in the comments expressed how sad it is that women can’t listen to headphones without fear of getting harassed.
“so glad you’re safe and thankful for that woman for noticing! But it’s so sad for us women have to do this,” one commented.
“That is the SADDEST thing ever to hear. Can’t simply listen to music or anything without being in danger! Ugh NY,” another wrote.
One wrote that this situation is the reason why she never wears headphones anywhere. “exactly why I turn off the sound cancellation on the pros,” added another.
Some, however, couldn’t bypass the irony that Lyss was recording her PSA while walking the streets of New York.
“You’re not paying attention right now so maybe do it at home next time,” one user commented.
Regardless of where she filmed it, the message is clear: be aware of your surroundings, ladies. Stay safe!
