Young people are increasingly being rescued from mountains after attempting risky climbs and hikes to capture dramatic photos for social media. According to a report by The Economist, the so-called “Instagram effect” is contributing to a rise in mountain rescue incidents involving Generation Z who take risks in pursuit of a photograph. In the Scottish Highlands, the number of mountaineering incidents involving people aged 17 to 25 has nearly quadrupled since 2022. In 2018, 15% of people rescued in the Highlands were in that age group, compared with 25% last year. Ludovic Richard from France’s mountain-safety observatory also agrees that the “Instagram effect” has led some young walkers to take dangerous risks to capture images at scenic locations in an interview with The Economist.