The term "panopticon" refers to a design for a prison created by the philosopher Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century. The idea is to have a central observation tower from which a guard can see all inmates without them knowing whether they are being watched. This creates a sense of constant surveillance, encouraging prisoners to regulate their own behavior. The concept of the panopticon has been applied beyond prisons, influencing modern ideas about surveillance in society. In today's world, it relates to how technology, like cameras and social media, can monitor our actions, making us more aware of being observed and potentially altering our behavior.