Moral Panic as a Communicative Frame: Dynamics of Opinion Formation on Social Media Regulation

How does the media debate shape public opinion regarding a potential ban of social media? The project examines the influence of moral panic frames on perceptions, attitudes, and regulatory preferences in Germany.

A potential ban of social media use for children and adolescents under the age of 16 receives broad support, even though scientific findings regarding its effects on adolescents are inconclusive. Against this backdrop, the project examines how public opinion on social media regulation in Germany is formed.

Theoretically, the project is based on the concept of moral panic, which it understands as a specific combination of assumptions about the effects of social media, normative-emotional evaluations, and the resulting calls for regulation. Methodologically, the study combines an ongoing content analysis of leading German media outlets with a three-wave nationwide panel survey.

The goal is to identify moral panic frames in media discourse, examine their impact on the public’s perceptions 

• Duration:  08/2026 – 07/2029
• Funding Agency: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
• Team:
  • Principal Investigator: Prof Dr. Sarah Geber
  • Doctoral Researcher: Annkathrin Sproeßer