Moral panic is the intense feeling expressed among the population facing threatening problems regarding changes in the social order. For moral panic to spread in a community, there must be frequent concerns and comments regarding the negative behavior of one or more people having an impact on society. Age of consent laws were developed to prevent a moral panic attempting to reduce social concerns about children and children's sexuality in order to protect children's innocence. It is important that children follow the laws created for their protection. Two of the most alarming social concerns that impact children's behavior are that adolescents are forced to make reasonable decisions before they reach full maturity and that they are outside of today's technology-based world. Age is not a determining factor in determining a child's maturity level. According to Laurie Schaffner, "socially, majority status represents an age of reason, rights, and responsibility", although it varies when adolescents may be allowed to become adults. (Schaffner, p. 189) For the purpose of positive and effective development, children must receive constant attention from their parents or guardians. The love, affection and support that an adult can give to a teenager builds their self-confidence. It is an imperative part of child development. Education gives children the opportunity to apply logic and display characteristics of responsibility. Interacting with family is necessary, but interacting with others outside of their immediate family is just as important. This is to ensure that a child develops in all aspects, both mentally and socially. The experience of interacting with people outside the family will test and determine whether a...... middle of paper ...... when children are viewed as acting adults. Depending on the child's experience and involvement in the community from which they come, the child may develop faster or slower than the average age of consent. Females generally mature faster than males. But if a teenager has been abused or placed in a situation requiring reasoning, they will have a better understanding of what is right and wrong. Sometimes the problems related to children who mature faster than others or before social structures allow them to do so are examples given to underdeveloped children. In conclusion, moral panics are linked to social concerns about children and their sexuality because children follow the actions of adults. With the lack of positive examples left for children, moral panics are created, causing more social concerns for the children of the future..