Is it common for teenagers to have encounters with ghosts?

I have interview evidence to suggest that ghost encounters and beliefs are common amongst Buddhist teenagers. I've heard this is also the case for Pagan/Wiccan teenagers - but have no firm evidence. I'd be interested to know of published accounts of such experience in other teenagers, to gain some idea if this is something notable amongst Buddhists.

Psychology of Religion

Jonathan Edwards

Lower Merion / Harriton

I teach a creative writing course for teenagers in the USA, and I begin the class with a declaration that "I collect real ghost stories," and proceed to listen to spontaneous storytelling of some really astounding examples of personal experiences: haunted houses, visitations. I have come to recognize that, after hundreds of stories, some, because of the individualization, the emotional expression, the spontaneity, are genuine. None, so far, seem to be religious in nature, so much as akin to something strange and unexpected going on. I have had students share examples of photographs of apparitions that could be nothing other than what one would have to say are genuine ghosts. Yes, USA television currently has some shows about "investigations", so the popular culture has some impact. But, much of what I have heard does not even reflect these shows, rather, spontaneous descriptions of locations and details that are not what I call "summer campfire" stories, and lack the context of religious practices. I have had some experiences corroborated by other reliable mature adult individuals. These are mostly Protestant /Catholic children, 15 - 18. I have heard stories that were "visitations" by relatives who had passed, but the children never give "religious" connotation. One child related that the family sought help from Protestant clergy, but this came to no resolution.