Here’s a hot new Halloween trend that has critics seriously spooked.
Parents across America are partaking in “switch witch” — a seemingly harmless practice that encourages their kids to trade cavity-causing trick-or-treat candy for toys.
But is it really a “new” trend?
The point is to discourage excess sugar intake amid high rates of childhood obesity and the potential health hazards of some sweets.
While the exact origins of the practice are unknown, author Audrey R. Kinsman published the picture book “The Switch Witch and the Magic of Switchcraft” back in 2015, revolving around a good witch who visits homes to take candy in exchange for clothing, books and toys.
In recent years, a growing number of parents have begun implementing the practice into their Halloween routines, with TikTok and other social media platforms helping the idea to become a full-blown phenomenon — just in time for another round of trick-or-treating.
Earlier this month, Utah fitness influencers Emily and Levi Jensen went viral on Instagram, clocking up 755,000 likes with a video explaining how their two-year-old daughter Aria receives a visit from a switch witch after procuring her Halloween haul.
“This has been a great way to cut back on candy, but still enjoy Halloween,” Levi concludes.
On TikTok, mom Kristyn Cole clocked up more than 2 million views with a similar video explaining how she’s started the switch witch practice with her children.
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