This isn’t rare or increasing, it’s just that one generation is now in the age bracket for it. “Gen alpha is seeing a surge in highschool graduations” would be equally likely in the near future. It’s not surprising, it’s a long-standing trend associated with age.
Or religion. Or ghosts. Or Bigfoot. Or demons. Or the supernatural. Or zodiac signs. Or miracle cures. Or chiropractors. Or antivax. Or Qanon. Or sovern citizenship.
It’s always disappointing how many people believe in obviously fake bullshit.