What term describes the widespread fear and concern over a perceived threat to societal norms, often resulting in social control measures?

The term that describes the widespread fear and concern over a perceived threat to societal norms is "moral panic. " This happens when people become very worried about a particular group or behavior that they believe could harm society or its values. For example, when a new music genre or fashion trend emerges, some might fear that it will lead young people to act out in ways that are considered deviant. As a result, this fear can lead to stricter rules or social control measures, like curfews or censorship, to try to manage the perceived threat. Ultimately, moral panic shows how society reacts to changes and the importance of maintaining its norms.