What happens next? Social reactions to moral panics activity

Objective:
Students will apply their understanding of moral panics, folk devils, and the deviancy amplification spiral to contemporary events in Britain. They will analyse how media and public perception can exaggerate social problems and propose likely social reactions.

Instructions for Students:

1. Read each scenario carefully.
2. For each scenario, complete the following tasks:
   • Identify the folk devil: Who or what is being portrayed as a threat to society?
   • Analyse media amplification: How might news outlets or social media exaggerate or distort the situation?
   • Predict social reactions: What responses could follow from the public, schools, local authorities, or government?
   • Explain the deviancy amplification spiral: How could the situation escalate as media coverage and public concern interact?
3. Discuss your predictions with a partner or group, then share with the class. Use sociological terminology wherever possible.
4. Optional: Suggest ways the situation could have been handled differently to prevent a moral panic.

Scenario 1: Online Gaming Violence

A popular online multiplayer game has gone viral among teenagers in the UK. A few minor incidents of aggression and cyberbullying have been reported, sometimes spilling into local schools.

National newspapers and social media start reporting headlines such as:

• “New Video Game is Making Teens Aggressive”
• “Online Gaming Fuels Violence in Schools”

Parents and schools express concern, calling for restrictions on the game.

Task	Your Response
Folk devil – Who is being portrayed as a threat?
Media amplification – How might newspapers and social media exaggerate concern?
Social reactions – What could parents, schools, or the government do?
Deviancy amplification spiral – How could the situation escalate?
Preventing escalation – What might stop the moral panic from growing?

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Scenario 2: New Youth Fashion Trend

Teenagers in Britain adopt a new fashion style: bright neon colours combined with oversized sportswear. Local news claims this group is intimidating adults in public spaces. Influencers post pictures online, framing the trend as rebellious.

Media narratives begin linking the fashion style to youth crime, despite very few incidents occurring.

Task	Your Response
Folk devil – Who is being portrayed as a threat?
Media amplification – How might newspapers and social media exaggerate concern?
Social reactions – What could parents, schools, or authorities do?
Deviancy amplification spiral – How could the situation escalate?
Wider societal anxieties – What fears or stereotypes fuel the moral panic?

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Scenario 3: Protests Against Local Housing Developments

In a multicultural UK city, young residents protest a housing development replacing green space with new apartments. Most protests are peaceful, but a few involve minor vandalism or loud demonstrations.

Local newspapers report:

• “Troublemaking Youths Threaten Community Safety”
• “Protests Escalate as Residents Clash with Authorities”

Social media shares clips out of context, portraying protesters as dangerous. Some politicians call for stricter policing.

Task	Your Response
Folk devil – Who is being portrayed as a threat?
Media amplification – How might newspapers and social media exaggerate concern?
Social reactions – What could local authorities, communities, or politicians do?
Deviancy amplification spiral – How could the situation escalate?
Structural factors ignored – What social issues might the moral panic overlook?

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Extension Activity: Create Your Own Scenario

In pairs or small groups:

1. Invent a contemporary scenario in Britain where a moral panic could occur.
2. Complete the table below:

Task	Your Response
Scenario description
Folk devil
Media amplification
Social reactions
Deviancy amplification spiral
Preventing escalation

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Teacher Notes:

Use this activity as a basis for debate, comparing scenarios that escalate into full moral panics with those that remain minor.

Encourage students to link scenarios to real-life examples, such as knife crime panics, anti-vax campaigns, or viral social media challenges.

Discuss why certain groups are more likely to be labelled as folk devils (youth, minorities, women, online communities).

Remind students to consider both media influence and structural factors that might contribute to deviance.

You can download the full PPT of these scenarios and a PDF version below.