I think that it is not hysteria. People are trying to sound an alarm. There have been in the past few years more and more occult shows, occult symbols all around us. Was it Alice Bailey that said through her demonic entity D.K. that we have to desensitize slowly down to the lowest level of society (meaning children) before her god satan could come. I know that was not the exact quote but it is close enough.
What are your thoughts on the possession that occurs in Harry Potter by the evil Lord V? He is an evil spirit that posses an eleven year old child. And there are other instances of his possession also as you have pointed out. The things that are used in the books are actually used in wiccan practices. The courses the children are taking are actual things used. Were do these children get their power from in these books?
MCD
Not according to "real" wiccans. And the "power" is make believe, just like the fairy godmother in Cinderella.