Fauxnomenon

A fake (faux) phenomenon, usually picked up on by the news-media, using bogus or highly unusual anecdotes to construct a false 'trend'.

Media outlets from the New York Times to Fox News absolutely love these, because they fill column space and news time, anyone can comment on them / write them and appear informed without actual research or investigative work, and they make for 'sexy' stories.

Common features of fauxnomenon stories include: Teens, sex, drugs, teens and sex, teens and drugs, teens and sex and drugs.

These types of fauxnomenon stories are often called 'moral panic' stories.

Mom: "Hey there honey, you haven't been going to Rainbow Parties, have you? It's where girls all get different colors of lipstick, and then they blow every boy at the party until their penises look like rainbows! I know kids are doing it these days because I saw it on Fox and CNN and Oprah, and I'm worried. They wouldn't put it on TV if it weren't true."

Daughter: "Mom, that's just a fauxnomenon! It's designed to play on your fear of teen sex and drum up ratings."

Mom: "Really?"

Daughter: "Yeah. That jenkem thing is totally legit, though."