If your child has any modern gadget that supports Internet access, you can be sure that he has an account at least in one of the social networks, and even in several. Accordingly, having reached a certain age, he will definitely know that you can play for money on the Internet. Unfortunately, today this happens very early, which causes the development of gambling addiction in childhood. You should not think that if your family is prosperous (the child plays sports, is friends with very "decent" peers, etc.), then he is protected from gambling addiction.
Dangers that lurk for minors on the Internet
According to one of the reports of the UK Gambling Commission, at least 65% children of the state have seen advertising related to slot machines and other gambling entertainment. There is no doubt that in our country such videos have been watched by a much larger number of minors, since they are present on almost any site with video content, as well as on many gaming portals. These are the resources that 99% children mainly visit. At the same time, we must not forget that the psyche of any child is designed in such a way that he constantly wants to learn something new. Accordingly, almost everyone will want to try to play.
Gambling advertising looks very colorful and bright. An inexperienced child who sees something like this may get the impression that gambling is a safe and fun activity that will not only entertain but also allow you to earn money. As a result, minors register, start playing slot machines, learn the basics of card games, and try to win the lottery. If a teenager has personal savings or pocket money that is given to him regularly, you can be sure that it will very quickly end up in a gaming account and be lost.
Some may object that responsible licensed casinos strictly regulate the issue of minors' access to gaming content. Firstly, this usually does not happen immediately, but at the stage of withdrawal of winnings, and secondly, where is the guarantee that the child will register in an honest club, and not on a fake resource, such as Vulkan casino or its numerous clones?
Is your child a gamer?
Parents who are honest with themselves are ready to admit that their child becomes very secretive after 12-13 years. He has many secrets and mysteries that he will never tell his parents about. You can be sure that the passion for gambling will definitely be hidden from you. So how can you determine that your "beloved child" has become "hooked" on gambling? Pay attention to these signs of unusual behavior:
- new words related to gambling appear in the child’s speech;
- his jokes become a little unusual, with a bias towards the relevant topic;
- the teenager began to get interested in card games;
- he tries to neglect household chores;
- the minor develops an unhealthy interest in money;
- he suddenly loses interest in his previous hobbies and interests;
- school performance declines very sharply;
- money and things start disappearing from the house;
- the child prefers solitude and communicates very little with his parents;
- Sometimes a teenager exhibits unjustified bouts of aggressive behavior.
If your child has several of the listed signs at the same time, this does not mean that the child has become a gambler with a 100% guarantee, but it is worth making sure of this as soon as possible.
What can be done to protect a teenager from gambling?
Trust between a child and parents is an important point, which in this case is difficult to overestimate. If you notice that a teenager has become interested in gambling, you cannot categorically forbid it without explaining the reason. This will lead to the opposite effect. If you can explain what such entertainment most often leads to in childhood, then this will be great. Do not be afraid to tell how online casinos make money.
In addition, it is advisable to interest him in something that can become a worthy replacement for slot machines. For one, this may be sports, for another, interesting activities in another area. For example, programming, etc. If you yourself are a fan of gambling, never play in front of your child. Such behavior becomes a powerful catalyst for the fact that the teenager will also become interested in this. And finally, do not let the situation slide. Monitor (preferably discreetly) your child's activities on the Internet, and try not to miss the moment after which it will be too late.
