In 2016, sightings of people in evil clown costumes were reported in the United States, Canada, and 18 other countries, sparking a global panic. The sightings, which were often hoaxes or pranks, led to school closures, police investigations, and even arrests. The phenomenon was dismissed as a case of mass hysteria, driven by fear of clowns (coulrophobia) and amplified by social media, with Vox claiming that 'The Great Clown Panic of 2016 has been perpetuated by pretty much everyone except actual clowns.'

The 2016 clown sightings panic has been the subject of poems, stories, and cultural criticism that explore the intersection of fear, media, and mass delusion. The event has inspired writers to examine the psychology of fear in the age of social media and the role of viral content in shaping collective behavior. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the power of suggestion and the dangers of mass hysteria, themes that continue to resonate in contemporary discussions of digital culture.