This is a list of events that are argued to fit the sociological definition of a moral panic.
In sociology, a moral panic is a period of increased and widespread societal concern over some group or issue, in which the public reaction to such group or issue is disproportional to its actual threat. The concern is further fueled by mass media and moral entrepreneurs who promote or popularize the issue. Moral panics may result in legislative and/or long-lasting cultural changes in the societies where they occur.
The concept was first introduced into the field of sociology by Stanley Cohen in his 1972 book Folk Devils and Moral Panics and has since been expanded by other researchers. Moral panic as a group phenomenon is different from irrational hysteria which is featured more in individuals.
18th century and before
titleconcerncauseslocationtimerefsPersecution of Christians in the Roman EmpireThreat to public order and religious traditionsRejection of imperial cult, accusations of cannibalism and incestRoman EmpireAD 64-313Blood libelThe false idea that Jews engage in the kidnapping and murder of gentile childrenEuropeWitch-huntsThat some individuals with supernatural powers, "witches", were causing harm to people in their communitiesUnsubstantiated rumors and accusations of witchcraftEurope, North AmericaMiddle Ages to the 1700s
19th century titleconcerncauseslocationtimerefsAnti-Catholic panicThat Catholics were conspiring against American interestsIncreased immigration of Catholics to the United States, pre-existing anti-Catholic attitudes, political tension between the U.S. and European powersUnited States1840s, 1850sGarrotting panicsRobberies involving the practice of garrotingMedia coverage of garroting robberiesUnited Kingdom, United States1860sDime novels panicThat dime novels were pushing the brains of younger people too muchPopularization of dime novels among the youth, increased media coverage among PuritansUnited States1870s–1890sWhite slavery scareThe prostitution of White womenAllegations regarding the prostitution of White women by private businesses, release of Traffic in SoulsUnited Kingdom, United States1880s (UK), early 1900s (US)
20th century titleconcerncauseslocationtimerefsAmusement park panicThat amusement parks were dangerous to young people and could injure or kill themAn increase of new amusement parks being built, news reports of young children being injured on ridesUnited States1910s–1930sComic book panicThat comic books were negatively influencing young peoplePopularization of comic books among the youth, publication of Seduction of the InnocentUnited States1930s–1950sSexual psychopath panicChild sexual offending by "sexual psychopaths", a contested psychological category of sex offendersSensationalistic media coverage of child sex crimesUnited States1930s–1950sHomosexual panicThat homosexuals were trying to "promote homosexuality" to society, including childrenUnited States, United Kingdom1950s–1990sPoisoned candy mythsThat malevolent strangers were lacing Halloween candy with drugs, poison, or sharp objects such as razor bladesSocial upheaval, greater racial integration, and improved status for women, reflected societal questions about who was trustworthy.United States1950s-1990sLavender scareThat homosexuals were conspiring against American interestsSocietal tensions during the Cold War, the belief that homosexuals were sympathetic toward the Soviet Union United States1950sTelevision panicAddiction caused by minors watching televisionPopularization of television among the youth, widespread fears around the productGlobal1946-1960sMcCarthyismCommunist infiltration and subversion in the United States government, Hollywood, etc.Red Scare during the Cold WarUnited States1947–1959Mods and rockers panicHooligan activities by the two youth groupsSensationalistic media coverage of the conflicts between the groupsUnited Kingdom1960sWar on drugsDrug trafficking and consumptionIncrease of drug consumption in society, media alarmismGlobal1970s–presentSex offender panicChild sex crimes perpetrated by sex offenders and pedophilesReoccurrence of high-profile child sexual abuse scandalsUnited States, United Kingdom1970s–presentOverpopulation panicThat the world is overpopulated, has gone past the planet's carrying capacity and that birth rates are too highPublication of The Population Bomb, increase of cases of falling birth rates, new development in countries across the worldGlobal1970s–presentViolent video games panicThat video games were influencing children into committing violent actsPopularization of violent video games among the youth, discredited psychological theories about gamesUnited States1970s–1990sMugging panicMuggings in public streets, especially by young Black malesMedia alarmism, 1973 Birmingham mugging attackUnited Kingdom1970sSatanic panicThat supposed Satanic cults were engaging in child sexual abuse ritualsUnsubstantiated Satanic ritual abuse rumors and allegations, tabloid journalismUnited States1980sMissing children panicChild abduction by strangers in public placesMurder of Adam Walsh, media sensationalismUnited States1980sDungeons & Dragons panicThat some RPG table-top games, especially D&D, were leading young people into drug use and SatanismPopularization of mythical-themed role-play games, Christian and BADD activism, other controversiesUnited States1980sDay-care sex-abuse hysteriaThat some day-care centers were engaging in Satanic child sexual abuseIncreased usage of day-cares among employed women with young childrenUnited States1980s–1990sAIDS panicAIDS dissemination, particularly by gay menAIDS pandemic of the 1980s, Conservative activismGlobal1980s–1990s"Wilding" panicPhysical and sexual assaults in public streets by ethnic youth gangsRape of Trisha Meili, media sensationalismUnited States1989–1990sDangerous dogs panicDog attacks against humans, especially by pit bullsSensationalistic media coverage of dog attacksUnited Kingdomlate 1980s–1990sMichael Jackson allegationsThat Michael Jackson was a child sexual abuser and potential pedophile Evan Chandler filing a lawsuit against Jackson, Release of Leaving Neverland in 2019United States, Canada, United Kingdom1993, 2018–2020Harry Potter panicThat the book series was leading children into witchcraft and occultismThe novels' themes of magic and witchcraft, anti-occult activism against the seriesUnited States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia1990s–2000sInternet moral panicThe dissemination of legal and illegal pornography on the internet, online criminal activitiesPopularization of the Internet, media sensationalismGlobal1990s–2000sSchool shooting panicSchool shootingsIncreased media coverage of school shooting casesUnited States1990s–presentY2K bug panicThat the world would end on New Year's Day 2000 and computers would malfunctionGlobal1990s–2000
21st century