Teen gambling is a growing concern with significant impacts on mental health, money and relationships.
Teen gambling is not just happening in our school, but it is happening drastically around our country.
The easy accessibility of online gambling platforms has significantly increased the problem, making it easier for teens to gamble secretly and whenever they want.
Early exposure to gambling can lead to addiction and other long-term consequences.
¨Starting gambling at young ages including in your teens can and will affect negatively in starting bad habits,¨ junior Jake Lowey said.
The effects of teen gambling are very detrimental and can cause not just short term effects but also long term. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts are common among teen gamblers.
¨You could become dependent on the feeling of gambling and lose money or relationships with family and friends,¨ Lowey said.
Financial problems, including debt and theft, can also come up as teens attempt to fund their addiction. Relationships with family and friends often suffer due to secrecy, lying and impulsive behavior.
Several factors contribute to teen gambling peer pressure plays a significant role teens may feel pressured to gamble to fit in or impress their friends.
¨Sometimes it can be seen as a ‘cool’ thing to do, but it is not,¨ sophomore Graham Ravenscroft said.
The thought of quick money and the rush of taking risks can also be strong reasons. A lack of awareness about the risks of gambling and the normalization of gambling in our culture can contribute to the problem.
There are ways to prevent teen gambling including stricter regulations on online gambling platforms, limiting access for underage individuals.
¨Instead of gambling on sports you could pick a team and cheer for them without betting on them. And for card gambling you could just have friendly games and learn the game in a stress free way,¨ Ravenscroft said.
¨Show the results of teen gambling and bring awareness to the problem within our school and country,¨ Lowey said.
Teen gambling is a serious issue that demands attention. By spreading awareness and providing support for those who need it, teen gambling can significantly reduce along with the consequences it brings.
If you need help you can contact: 1-800-522-4700
