In the 1990s and 2000s, the rise of the internet sparked a global moral panic, with fears about the dissemination of legal and illegal pornography, online criminal activities, and the corruption of young people. The panic was fueled by media sensationalism and the popularization of the internet, leading to calls for regulation and censorship. Despite the opposition, the internet became an essential part of modern life, and the panic eventually subsided.

The internet moral panic has been a central theme in contemporary literature, inspiring poets and writers to explore the dynamics of fear, technology, and social change. The event has been the subject of numerous works that critique the demonization of new media and the role of fear in shaping public policy. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of moral panic and the importance of critical thinking in the digital age.