The role of psychologists in moral panic (on example of "groups of death" in social networks)

The article shows how the interaction of experts in the field of mental health with the media can contribute to the maintenance of moral panic in society on the example of the situation with «groups of death» in social networks. The causes of this phenomenon are analyzed. The susceptibility of psychologists to moral panic is determined by the same mechanisms as in the general population, as the leading mechanisms acts as a cognitive bias and obedience to authority. The author also points out the insufficiency of training psychologists in the field of media education.