Is this problem not a result of the mass psychosis about pedophiles and child-eating devil-worshippers that went on in the late 80's? As far as I understand it,

Is this problem not a result of the mass psychosis about pedophiles and child-eating devil-worshippers that went on in the late 80's? As far as I understand it, kids were more independent prior to that period. There was a time where the news bites would have you think you couldn't walk a few feet without there being the remains of a victim buried somewhere near you.