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TV Shows Fuel Children's Interest in Witchcraft, from Ananova

The Pagan Federation is claiming that TV programs Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrina the Teenage Witch have fuelled a rapidly growing interest in witchcraft among children.

The organization says it deals with an average of 100 inquiries a month from youngsters who want to become witches, and claims it has occasionally been "swamped" with calls.

Media officer Andy Norfolk says the Federation is to appoint its first youth officer in September after receiving calls following recent articles about paganism in teenage magazines.

Mr. Norfolk said: "Our youth officer will explain things like the principle ethic of witchcraft - that you should not cause harm to anyone - and that it's not just an easy way to get a new boyfriend!"

He insists that the Federation is a responsible organization which does not allow anyone under the age of 18 to become a member.

Explaining the growing interest in recent years, Mr. Norfolk claims the Christian Church has failed to provide "the right degree of spirituality for young people", whereas paganism involves "direct communication with the divine".

Kate West, a 42-year-old witch and vice president of the Federation, who was recently commissioned by publishers HarperCollins to write an introductory handbook on witchcraft, believes teenage interest in paganism has always been substantial.

She said: "When I was a teenager, there were only about 10 books on witchcraft around. But now there is so much information on the Internet which makes it is so much more accessible.

The growing trend has been described as "worrying" by John Buckeridge, editor of Youthwork, a monthly Christian magazine.

He said: "The growing number of books and TV shows like Harry Potter and Sabrina the Teenage Witch encourage an interest in magic as harmless fun. However for some young people it could fuel a fascination that leads to dangerous dabbling with occult powers. So what starts out as spooks and spells can lead to psychological and spiritual damage."