In the 1980s, the United States experienced a moral panic over missing children, fueled by the murder of Adam Walsh and sensationalist media coverage. The panic led to the widespread belief that strangers were abducting children from public places, resulting in the creation of milk carton campaigns and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The panic reflected deep-seated anxieties about child safety and the changing nature of American society.

The missing children panic has been referenced in literary works that explore the intersection of fear, media, and parenthood. The event has inspired writers to examine the dynamics of fear and the role of media in shaping public perception, and it has been used as a backdrop for works that critique the culture of fear. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of moral panic and the importance of accurate information.