Moral panic studies is an academic field dedicated to the analysis of societal reactions to perceived threats to the social order. It investigates the processes by which certain individuals or groups are identified as deviant ('folk devils'), the role of 'moral entrepreneurs' and media in amplifying these concerns, and the subsequent demands for social control measures. This field highlights the often disproportionate nature of the reaction compared to the actual threat, examining the construction of public anxiety and its impact on policy and social dynamics. Its significance lies in providing critical insights into the dynamics of social control, the construction of deviance, and the influence of media in shaping public perceptions and policy responses.