Gambling is all around young people today – from advertising during sports events, and the behaviour and habits of reality TV stars and sporting legends, through to the betting shops on our high-streets and the weekly National Lottery. And, it is a popular pursuit amongst us, with up to two-thirds of the population spending money on a gambling activity in the last year.
Michael Jordan is at the centre of many famous gambling stories, including $100,000 bets involving rock, paper, and scissors, whilst Wayne Rooney is said to have lost £500,000 in two hours gambling in a casino. As sporting heroes who youngsters look up to, what message does this give?
While for many people gambling is a pleasurable activity done in moderation, for a minority it can lead to substantial problems – financially, psychologically, and socially. A growing trend is the number of teens who are lured into online gambling through online gaming.
To find out more about this trend and learn how to recognise the signs that your child may have a problem with online gambling please read the articles below.
Online gambling and young people: a growing concern
https://parentzone.org.uk/article/online-gambling-and-young-people-growing-concern
What is skin gambling?
https://parentzone.org.uk/article/what-skin-gambling
Kari Ellis and Norah Buckley
Assistant Head Pastoral and Assistant Head, Safeguarding