In the mid-2000s, a moral panic erupted over MySpace, a social networking site, with fears about cyberbullying, online predators, and the corruption of young people. The panic was fueled by media coverage of cases such as the 'To Catch a Predator' series, leading to calls for regulation and parental control. Despite the opposition, MySpace eventually declined in popularity, and the panic subsided.

The MySpace panic has been cited in literary and cultural studies as an example of the recurring fear of new media and its supposed corrupting influence on young people. The event has inspired writers to explore 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 demonization of technology. It also serves as a precursor to later panics about other social media platforms.