The term 'moral panic' can be defined as an occurrence which is categorised by ‘stylised and stereotypical’ representation by the mass media, which in return develops a threat to societal values and interests (Cohen, 2004, http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/lcs9603.html).
One form of media that is causing a wide world panic, is the use of the Internet. The Internet is a growing source of information that can be widely accessed from many points all across the world. It is this sense of easy accessibility and its varied exposure of topics that has caused many types of moral panics within society.
Moral Panics within the Internet evolved from concern that pornography was being widely exposed to children. Pornography is one central issue that is created out of moral panics and the use of the Internet. Traditionally, the Internet was used by scientists, academics and engineers to send emails and share information. Today, the internet is used not only for these things, but is used for the downloading of music, the forming of virtual communities, and the establishment of news groups. With this in mind, there continues to be this contradiction of the internets ‘original purpose’, in comparison with its current ‘perceived’ purpose, in which anyone can use and gain information from the Internet (2004, http://www.antipope.org/charlie/journo/cyberpanic.html).
This issue of indecent exposure to user’s, brings on the moral panic concern of behaviours. This can be associated both with [Moral_Panics_and_the_Internet-Children | children]] and adults. The information content that is apparent on Internet sites is seen to change the behavioural patterns of those who participate, whether it is with online games, or through chat rooms. It can promote psychiatric problems, homicide, and even suicide (Miller, 2002, http://www.suicidereferencelibrary.com/test4~id~1177).
Constant usage of the Internet has also created a moral panic within society. The Internet seems to involve people within its cyberspace, creating an online [Moral_Panics_and_the_Internet-Identities | identity]] for the user. However, it also decreases the user’s physical identity amongst their families, peers and co-workers. People tend to become isolated from the rest of the world as they continue to live in a fantasy of unreal identities. This is causing concern within society as people are thought to lose their sense of reality, interaction, and their personal identity.
There are many [Moral_Panics_and_the_Internet-Communities | communities]] that are developed out of the Internet that can cause concern for a moral panic within society. The Internet is being used as a medium for such groups to be able to achieve successful and easy communication. Being able to be part of an online community may seem harmless, however, it can still be used as an opportunity for those negative groups who want to secretly plan and plot desired tasks. This can include communities who create bombs, start riots or protests, or even those who develop viruses to send to computers. This may not be a major concern at this present time, but these types of communities do exist within cyerspace society, and can affect people’s behaviours and actions.
The politics of moral panics and the Internet involves the idea of censorship. Within schools, sites can be banned from being accessed by students, mostly pornographic sites. While this may reduce some panic within society, it does not fully decrease the exposure and accessibility of negative websites to children or adults. User’s can still locate such sites as there is no constant monitoring within schools or at home, this proving that children and adults can still be exposed to the many types of unwanted information (2004, http://www.antipope.org/charlie/rant/censorship).
There is a negative future for the Internet if society keeps allowing itself to be taken over by this sense of a ‘moral panic’. Governments, businesses, schools and families can possibly desert the Internet, and find other possible alternatives. There continues to be the preference for networks that are clearly signed and free from hostile, threatening or unpleasant material or activities. (Thompson, 1998, p.138).
Moral panics and the Internet is just one issue concerning the new media technology industry. It is important to understand this issue as it can affect not only yourself, but your loved ones. The internet can change behaviours, introduce innocents to new and dangerous ideas, all the while starting an upright panic within society. Associated issues include Video Games, Virtual Communities, Computer Technology and Children, and Online Censorship.
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Here is a link to my annotated bibliography:
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Here is a link to another moral panic encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_panic
Strinati, D & Wagg, S. (1992) Popular Media Culture in Post-War Britain London and New York: Routledge. ISBN 0415063264
Thompson, K. (1998) Moral Panics London: Routledge. ISBN 0415119766
Miller, S.A.(2002) Death of a Game Addict: Suicide After Long Hours on the Web, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, retrieved September 7,2004 from http://www.suicidereferencelibrary.com/test4~id~1177.php
Moral Panics (2004), Retrieved September 7, 2004, from http://www.antipope.org/charlie/rant/censorship.html
Moral Panics and the Net (2004), Retrieved September 7, 2004, from http://www.antipope.org/charlie/journo/cyberpanic.html
Sands, L. (1998) Moral Panics Retrieved on September 7, 2004, from http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Students/lcs9603.html
Katie Johnson 19:29, 9 Sep 2004 (EST)
