TikTok Witchcraft: Misinformation and Baby Witches

By NICOLE LAU

Introduction: Witchcraft Goes Viral

Open TikTok and you'll find thousands of videos about witchcraft: spell tutorials, crystal recommendations, tarot readings, and aesthetic "witch vibes." #WitchTok has billions of views, introducing a new generation to magical practice.

This democratization of esoteric knowledge is unprecedented. Information that once required years of study or initiation into secret societies is now available in 60-second videos. But there's a problem: much of it is wrong, oversimplified, or outright dangerous.

This guide examines the phenomenon of TikTok witchcraft, the misinformation problem, the challenges facing "baby witches" (beginners), and how to navigate social media spirituality responsibly.

The Rise of WitchTok

The Numbers

• #WitchTok: Billions of views
• #BabyWitch: Hundreds of millions of views
• #Witchcraft, #Witch, #Spells: Massive engagement
• Predominantly young users (Gen Z)
• Explosive growth during COVID-19 pandemic

Why It's Popular

• Accessibility: Free, easy to find
• Visual and engaging: Short, entertaining format
• Community: Connection with other practitioners
• Aesthetic appeal: Witchcraft is visually compelling
• Empowerment: Appeals to young people seeking agency
• Rebellion: Countercultural appeal
• Mental health: Seeking meaning and control during uncertain times

Positive Aspects

• Introducing people to witchcraft and paganism
• Normalizing alternative spirituality
• Creating community and support
• Sharing diverse perspectives
• Making esoteric knowledge accessible
• Empowering marginalized people

The Misinformation Problem

Common Types of Misinformation

1. Oversimplification

• Complex practices reduced to 60 seconds
• Nuance and context lost
• "Just do this simple spell!" without prerequisites
• Ignoring years of study required

2. Cultural Appropriation

• Closed practices presented as open
• Smudging, chakras, etc. without cultural context
• Indigenous and POC practices taken without permission
• No acknowledgment of sources

3. Dangerous Advice

• Unsafe herb use (toxic plants)
• Encouraging demon work for beginners
• Ouija boards without warnings
• Hexing without understanding consequences
• Medical advice ("cure depression with crystals")

4. Made-Up "Rules"

• "You must be gifted your first tarot deck"
• "Never use salt in spells" (or other arbitrary rules)
• Invented traditions presented as ancient
• Personal UPG (unverified personal gnosis) as universal truth

5. Aesthetic Over Substance

• Focus on looking witchy, not practicing
• Expensive tools presented as necessary
• Performance over genuine practice
• "Witch aesthetic" divorced from actual witchcraft

6. Fearmongering

• "You MUST do this or terrible things will happen"
• Exaggerating dangers to get views
• Creating unnecessary anxiety
• Spiritual bypassing of real issues

7. Misinformation About History

• "Burning times" myths
• Wicca presented as ancient
• Invented histories
• Romanticizing persecution

Why Misinformation Spreads

• Algorithm rewards engagement: Controversial or shocking content gets views
• No fact-checking: Anyone can post anything
• Beginners teaching beginners: Lack of expertise
• Clout chasing: Wanting followers and likes
• Genuine mistakes: People sharing what they learned (incorrectly)
• Telephone game: Information degraded through sharing

The "Baby Witch" Phenomenon

Who Are Baby Witches?

Baby witch is a term for beginners, especially young people discovering witchcraft through social media.

Characteristics

• Often teenagers or young adults
• Learning primarily from TikTok/Instagram
• Enthusiastic but inexperienced
• May not have access to books or teachers
• Vulnerable to misinformation
• Eager to practice immediately

Challenges They Face

1. Information Overload

• Contradictory advice everywhere
• Don't know who to trust
• Overwhelmed by options
• Can't distinguish good from bad information

2. Lack of Foundation

• Jumping into advanced practices
• Skipping basics
• No understanding of history or context
• Missing prerequisite knowledge

3. Pressure to Perform

• Posting for validation
• Comparing themselves to others
• Feeling need to prove they're "real witches"
• Aesthetic pressure

4. Safety Issues

• Trying dangerous practices
• Using toxic herbs
• Engaging with spirits unprepared
• No one to help if things go wrong

5. Gatekeeping and Bullying

• Experienced practitioners dismissing them
• "You're doing it wrong" comments
• Elitism and snobbery
• Discouragement from community

Specific Problematic Trends

1. The "Hex the Moon" Incident (2020)

• Baby witches decided to hex the moon
• Experienced practitioners warned against it
• Became a meme and cautionary tale
• Illustrated lack of understanding of consequences

2. Dangerous Herb Recommendations

• Videos recommending toxic plants
• No warnings about poisoning
• "Drink this tea" with harmful ingredients
• Medical misinformation

3. Closed Practice Appropriation

• Smudging tutorials by non-Indigenous people
• Voodoo/Hoodoo by non-practitioners
• Chakras without Hindu context
• Claiming practices are "universal"

4. "Shifting" to Hogwarts

• Reality shifting presented as witchcraft
• Confusion between imagination and magic
• Dissociation concerns
• Blurring fantasy and reality

5. Manifestation as Magic Cure-All

• "Just manifest it!" for serious problems
• Victim-blaming ("you manifested your trauma")
• Ignoring systemic issues
• Spiritual bypassing

The Responsibility of Content Creators

What WitchTok Creators Should Do

• Fact-check: Verify information before sharing
• Cite sources: Give credit and context
• Include warnings: About dangers, closed practices, etc.
• Acknowledge limitations: "This is my practice, not universal truth"
• Encourage further study: Point to books, teachers, resources
• Be honest about experience level: Don't claim expertise you don't have
• Cultural sensitivity: Respect closed practices
• Safety first: Don't encourage dangerous practices

Red Flags in Content

• "This is the ONLY way to do this"
• No sources or citations
• Claiming ancient lineage without evidence
• Selling expensive "necessary" tools
• Medical or mental health advice
• Encouraging dangerous practices
• Appropriating closed practices
• Fearmongering for engagement

How to Navigate WitchTok Responsibly

For Baby Witches

1. Verify Information

• Cross-reference with books
• Check multiple sources
• Look for experienced practitioners
• Be skeptical of claims
• Research history and context

2. Start with Basics

• Learn meditation and grounding first
• Study history and different traditions
• Build foundation before advanced work
• Don't rush into spellwork

3. Read Books

• TikTok is not enough
• Books provide depth and context
• Look for reputable authors
• Library is free

4. Find Real Teachers

• Local metaphysical shops
• Online courses from experienced practitioners
• Pagan/witch communities
• Mentorship programs

5. Practice Discernment

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
• Trust your intuition
• Question everything
• It's okay to say "I don't know"

6. Respect Closed Practices

• If people from a culture say it's closed, believe them
• Don't argue or try to find loopholes
• There are plenty of open practices
• Respect is more important than access

7. Safety First

• Research herbs before using
• Don't do dangerous practices alone
• Have support systems
• Know when to stop

For Experienced Practitioners

1. Create Good Content

• Share accurate information
• Provide context and nuance
• Cite sources
• Be responsible

2. Correct Misinformation Kindly

• Educate, don't shame
• Provide better information
• Remember you were a beginner once
• Be patient

3. Avoid Gatekeeping

• Encourage learning, don't discourage
• Share knowledge generously
• Make resources accessible
• Build up, don't tear down

4. Mentor When Possible

• Answer questions
• Provide guidance
• Share your experience
• Help the next generation

The Positive Side of Social Media Witchcraft

What's Working Well

• Accessibility: Free education for those who can't afford books
• Diversity: Voices from many traditions and backgrounds
• Community: Connection for isolated practitioners
• Normalization: Reducing stigma around witchcraft
• Creativity: New approaches and innovations
• Empowerment: Especially for young people and marginalized groups

Good Creators to Follow

(General advice, not specific recommendations)

• Those who cite sources
• Practitioners with years of experience
• People who acknowledge cultural context
• Creators who encourage further study
• Those who admit when they don't know something
• Accounts that prioritize education over aesthetics

The Future of Digital Witchcraft

Trends to Watch

• Increasing regulation of spiritual content?
• More experienced practitioners joining platforms
• Better fact-checking and accountability
• Evolution of digital covens and communities
• Integration of traditional and digital learning

Challenges Ahead

• Continued misinformation
• Commercialization and exploitation
• Cultural appropriation
• Balancing accessibility with accuracy
• Protecting vulnerable beginners

Conclusion: Navigate Wisely

TikTok witchcraft is here to stay. It's introduced countless people to magical practice and created vibrant communities. But it's also spread misinformation, encouraged cultural appropriation, and put beginners at risk.

Key takeaways:

• Social media is a starting point, not the whole journey
• Verify everything—don't trust blindly
• Read books and find real teachers
• Respect closed practices and cultural boundaries
• Safety and accuracy matter more than views
• Be patient with beginners—we all started somewhere
• Content creators have responsibility to share accurate information
• Community can be positive when approached thoughtfully

For baby witches: You're not less valid for learning from TikTok, but don't stop there. Dig deeper, read widely, find mentors, and practice discernment. The algorithm doesn't care about your spiritual development—you have to.

For experienced practitioners: Share your knowledge generously but responsibly. Correct misinformation kindly. Remember that accessibility matters, even if it comes with challenges.

Witchcraft survived centuries of persecution. It will survive TikTok too—but we all have a role in making sure what survives is authentic, respectful, and safe.

NICOLE LAU is a researcher and writer specializing in Western esotericism, Jungian psychology, and comparative mysticism. She is the author of the Western Esoteric Classics series and New Age Spirituality series.