Selfie sticks are increasingly becoming a safety issue in theme parks and museums in the US, which has led to the banning of the tools in many popular establishments.
The device features a mount for a smartphone and an extendable pole, which allows users to take self-portraits, 'selfies', easier.
Disney has reportedly begun posting 'No Selfie Sticks' signs on major rides like the Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World, and Space Mountain in their Anaheim branch.
Numerous complaints about people taking selfies while riding roller coasters and other attractions have spurred the ban at the famous park. Extending the pole to take pictures may cause harm not only to the owner, but to other people on the ride as well.
Besides Disney, Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida have installed metal detectors at the entrance of their popular rides to confiscate and prevent people from bringing selfie sticks, as reported by ThrillGeek.
Along with theme parks, a few museums in the US are not allowing visitors to bring selfie sticks inside the premises. These include the Smithsonian Design Museum and Museum of Modern Art and Cooper Hewitt in New York, and Washington D.C.-based National Gallert of Art, Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.
Deborah Ziska, spokeswoman at the National Gallery of Art, said that monopods, tripods, and umbrellas are also prohibited.
"Anything that might swing around," Ziska said in an interview with The Washington Post. "We ask people to check them at the coat room. It's about safety of the art, and in a crowded situation, safety of visitors."
Aside from other people, the photography tool could possibly damage the artworks inside the museums as well.
Despite the ban, museum managers still encourage visitors to documenting their experience by taking pictures, including a selfie. "We have a lot of interactive spaces, and we have seen a huge surge in the people documenting their time here," shares spokeswoman at Cooper Hewitt, Laurie Bohlk. "We encourage selfies," she added.
Visitors can do so the old-fashioned way, by extending an arm or asking other people to take photos for you.
