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How many people died similar deaths in the outdoors before mobile phones?

How many where neither a phone nor camera is, or was, involved?

Without numbers to compare the reported numbers against, this tells us nothing.

Sure. But people who are not having their photo taken are more likely to be looking out than those who are backing towards dangerous footing to get a good selfie.

I wouldn't make that assumption. Plenty of people are moving around to get the perfect view, and are still not paying attention to how risky the situation is. Also, as mentioned elsewhere in the comments, vertigo can play a part - and that is _more_ likely to happen when looking at the vista than when maneuvering for a photo.

how many more people go outside and behold nature's beauty who wouldn't have done so without the social media drive? I'm sure it's been the primary reason many people go to scenic places.

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