The 2014 Slender Man Stabbing refers to a tragic real-life event in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where two 12-year-old girls lured a friend into the woods, claiming they were trying to appease the fictional internet character Slender Man. This event significantly impacted the perception of creepypastas and internet urban legends, moving them from niche horror forums into mainstream news. In meme culture, imagery associated with this era often reflects on the dark side of early 2010s internet obsession, the transition of Slender Man from a scary campfire story to a symbol of real-world consequence, and the broader 'Slender' game craze. It is frequently used to discuss internet safety, the power of viral folklore, or the nostalgia of the 2010s horror boom.