How Parents and Educators Can Prioritize Responsible Youth Game Play
Published: September 23, 2024
September is a month full of important recognition dates, one of which is Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM)! RGEM is a month developed by the American Gaming Association and is all about promoting gambling education and literacy and advancing the understanding of responsible gambling.
While video games are not technically gambling, some are designed to intentionally mimic the feelings and sensations of gambling, creating the potential for a child to develop a gambling disorder later in life. The prevalence of what’s being referred to as a “video game addiction” has increased dramatically over the last few years.
And according to the 2024 Wood County ADAMHS Youth Survey:
- 31 percent of youth 11 to 16 have spent real money to gamble on gaming
- 45 percent of teens know they can bet on skins
- 11 percent of youth ages 11 to 16 have bet on games
And the signs of a problem with gaming or gambling in youth aren’t always easy to spot. Common ones can include:
- Unexplained absences
- Sudden drop in grades
- Less interest in extracurricular activities
- Withdrawing from friends
- Lunch money or valuables go missing
- Unusual interest in sports scores or video games
The Change the Game Ohio website provides resources to help kids, parents, and educators learn about the risks of youth gaming and implement strategies in their homes and schools to help keep their gaming habits responsible. Preventing youth gambling starts with having a conversation with the child in your life about the risks involved.
Here are a few pointers to help get the conversation started with the youth in your life:
- Explain that gambling results in losses more often than wins
- Spending money on something tangible is better than losing it all on a bet
- Explain that underage gambling is illegal
The earlier individuals are introduced to gambling, the more likely they are to have a gambling disorder as adults. By starting the discussion at a young age, you’re setting a precedent. For more free resources to help prevent youth gambling and facilitate the conversation, visit ChangeTheGameOhio.org.