Moral Panic and Online Prostitution: Study of Social Reactions

Abstract

The increasing progress in information and communication technology has an impact on the mode of crime. Online prostitution is one mode of crime that utilizes this technological advancement. The ease of access obtained, the maintenance of the confidentiality of the perpetrators and the lack of law enforcement in this case have caused a moral panic. Moral panic has spread and is a threat to all parties. Qualitative approaches are used in this research methodology with information derived from mass media coverage both in print and online. The conclusion obtained in this study is the occurrence of moral panic because of the increase and spread of prostitution online without adequate legal control. Moral panic is a public reaction to a crime that raises anxiety and fear. A legal control model is needed that can create a sense of security and comfort among the community. Unfortunately, the moral panic associated with the online prostitution phenomenon only lasted two months. The public reaction in the form of law enforcement against perpetrators was the end of the news about online prostitution. There is no integrated and systematic response. The moral panic about online prostitution is only a brief reaction. Keywords— moral panic, online prostitution, social reaction