There’s been more discussion in the media recently about the higher rates of gambling among teens, especially boys. What is behind this trend, and what do you need to know as a parent to help our teens stay safe?
The Rise Of Teen Gambling
In recent months, more data have been coming out showing the high rates of gambling among teens, especially boys. A report from Common Sense Media showed that 36% of boys ages 11 to 17 had gambled in the last year. Even among children as young as 11 years old, 32% reported gambling in the last year.
This pattern of gambling among teens is due largely, of course, to the prevalence of online gambling platforms, including sports gambling and games.
Why Are Teens Attracted To Gambling?
When you look a little deeper into the research about gambling among teens, you find that one of the reasons why teens in particular seem to be susceptible to this behavior is the unique nature of their brain development at this age. During adolescence, the prefrontal cortex—the brain region responsible for decision-making, higher-level thinking, and risk assessment—is still developing. This means that teens tend to be less skilled at evaluating risk, while also being drawn to rewards.
Of course, gambling has been around for centuries, but for teens in particular, gambling can pose a problem. Establishing a habit of gambling at this crucial developmental period can put them at risk for later unhealthy and addictive behavior. Teens who gamble are more likely to have mental health and behavior problems as adults.
Research shows that teens who gamble have a higher chance of becoming problematic gamblers as adults. Furthermore, among teens, gambling is associated with a higher risk of mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Teen gambling isn’t just about money or even gaming addiction; it’s about setting up patterns of thinking and behavior that can stick for years to come.
Precursors To Teen Gambling
One often overlooked factor with this trend in team gambling is the behavior that comes before gambling. New research is showing that online games that include loot boxes or chance-based reward features are setting the stage for young children to establish this gambling-type mindset.
Many online games now include “loot boxes” or reward systems that closely mirror gambling. These features often:
- Require in-game currency (sometimes purchased with real money)
- Offer random, unpredictable rewards or “loot.”
- Use “near-miss” gameplay that keeps players trying repeatedly
These games also feature many gameplay patterns, where children or tweens spend currency to play, almost win, and then try again and again. All this sets up a very gambling-like pattern of behavior—at a psychological level, the loop is very similar.
With this pattern established, it’s a very easy leap into actual gambling when they are a little older and get access to those real-life gambling platforms.
What Parents Can Do
As you can see, online gambling has become an easy pattern for teens and even children to fall into, almost without realizing it. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind if your child is using any online games:
Learn about the games your children or teens are playing. Be aware of the gambling-type mechanisms built into games. Try to understand what patterns of behavior they might be encouraging in your children or teens. The ESRB rates console and PC-based games and provides feedback on in-game elements, such as whether they include “in-game purchases.” Here is an example of an in-game note provided for the popular Fortnite Battle Royale.
For mobile games on iOS and Android, the respective app store pages will indicate whether a game allows in-app purchases.
Discuss how the reward features work. Help your children think critically about how these games make them feel and lure them into continued play. Consider questions like, “Do you feel control over this game?” or “Why do you keep playing when you don’t win the loot?”
Set limits on the use of in-game currency. Many of these platforms use small amounts of currency or real money, so it seems harmless. However, over time, it adds up to large amounts being used on gaming.
Be aware of online influencers. If your tweens are on social media or watch videos, the prevalence of gambling or gaming content is increasing rapidly. Tween and teen boys are often targeted by algorithms in this type of content.
Watch for red flags. Be aware of your tween or teen’s behavior around digital content or online games. Particularly be aware if they’re asking for more money for games, acting secretive, or having big emotional reactions to gaming.
