Parents around the world are faced with the challenge of keeping their children safe and healthy in the online world, and online gambling is not left out of the picture. Every day, more and more teenagers are getting involved in real money gambling, betting on sporting events and spending time and finances on online gambling.
Due to this, it becomes imperative that parents communicate with their teens about this topic. Discussing online gambling can not only help parents understand how prevalent this activity is and how vulnerable their children are, but also provide an opportunity to share information about the potential risks and consequences of gambling behavior. However, despite this importance, only a third of parents discuss such topics with their children.
Key signs of gambling addiction in children
Gaming addiction among teens and young adults is an increasingly common problem in today's world. Influenced by the ever-increasing number of games and online gaming options available, many teens may find themselves struggling with gaming addiction. The symptoms of this condition can be varied, and early detection and response are critical to ensuring the health and well-being of young people.
One of the key symptoms of gaming addiction is a constant desire to play and a lack of control over the time spent playing games. Adolescents suffering from gaming addiction can often spend several hours a day playing games, neglecting their studies, social relationships, and other daily self-care responsibilities. They may become irritable if they are disturbed and try to interrupt a gaming session.
Another symptom of gaming addiction is a deterioration in school or vocational performance. Teenagers often forget about their academic responsibilities, which leads to a decline in academic performance and the risk of problems with school or training in educational institutions.
Also, gaming addiction is often accompanied by negative physiological and psychological changes. Teens experience insomnia, headaches, weight changes, and visual impairment due to excessive screen time. They may also experience depression and anxiety due to addiction, leading to social isolation and relationship problems with others.
What is the right way to talk to your child about the harms of gambling
Talking about gambling with your child is an important moment for parents, as gambling addiction has serious consequences for children's development and health. It is important to have this conversation so that children understand the risks associated with excessive gambling and learn to make informed decisions about their habits:
The first step in discussing gambling with a child may be to understand their own views and attitudes about gambling. Parents should be prepared to talk about the negative consequences of gambling, sharing their fears and concerns about possible addiction and other problems associated with gambling.
It is important to have a conversation about the real risks and consequences that come with gambling. Parents can talk to their child about the potentially devastating consequences of addiction, how gambling can negatively affect their financial situation, relationships with others, and even their psychological health.
It is important to remember that the conversation should be open and dialogical. Parents should help their child understand that participating in gambling is a personal decision that they can control. Discuss in detail what responsible gambling is and impress upon the child the importance of a moderate and balanced approach to gambling.
Parents can suggest alternative activities and hobbies that would be a great alternative. These could be sports, creative activities, reading, or participating in social events.
Talking about gambling should definitely include support and understanding. Being open, tolerant of the child's opinion and understanding their own point of view will help build a trusting relationship and achieve the best results in forming conscious gambling habits in your child.
Unfortunately, the internet has made modern gambling as accessible as possible. It's enough to go online, download parimatchapp, 1xBet app or Mostbet app and start playing in just a few minutes right from your smartphone. This means that children will find it harder to resist their addiction, and so will adults.
The fact that many parents have very little understanding of child psychology also plays a big role. That's why they can't understand the motives behind their children's behavior and help them when problems arise.
