The survey revealed that 80 percent of respondents who admitted to having gambled online later sought help to cope with the situation.
Argentina.- The authorities of the National University of Cuyo (UNCuyo) continue to work on preventing problems related to online gambling. Within this framework, the High School Guidance Services of the university, together with the University Medical Social Department (Health Education - Damsu), carried out a survey among students from first to sixth year, families, and teachers, over four weeks.
The objective of the research work was to better understand the behavior of adolescents in relation to online gambling, raise awareness about the issue and its consequences, and provide effective tools and strategies to promote healthier behaviors in young people and their families.
During the process, information from 2,376 students in the schools of the City of Mendoza was surveyed and analyzed. The distribution by year was 615 responses from first year, 464 from second, 404 from third, 424 from fourth, 396 from fifth, and 73 from sixth.
Out of that universe, 332 students stated they did not know information about online gambling, while 1,532 said they knew something and 512 expressed a deeper understanding of the topic. In that sense, 2,146 clarified that they know that gambling online poses a risk and 230 said they were unaware of that risk.
About gambling on some online platform, 2,028 said they have not used them, while 348 did. Regarding asking for help on this topic, 277 explicitly stated that they have asked for help from family, 185 from a friend, 164 from a therapist, 49 from the school, and 64 have not asked for help.
One percent of the sample reports using virtual wallets to gamble, although the weekly frequency with which they do so was not established.
Also, information was surveyed about 1,853 families. Regarding knowledge about online gambling, 1,336 said they knew something about the topic, 251 knew nothing, and 266 expressed knowing. In relation to this, 1,587 answered they did not know that there are laws regulating this issue and 215 did know. Regarding the risks, 1,802 said they knew that there are risks when gambling and 52 responded that they did not.
Regarding online gambling platforms, 1,787 of the surveyed families responded that they have not used them and 62 answered that they have. About the knowledge that their children have gambled online, 103 know that their children have done it, 159 responded that they do not know, and 1,532 answered that their children have not done it.
In addition, responses from 239 teachers were surveyed, of whom 184 responded that they know something about online gambling, 34 know nothing, and 21 do know. Among them, 206 have no knowledge about the laws regulating online gambling, 20 do, and 13 maybe. Regarding whether they know that students gamble online; 171 do not know, 54 do know, 14 maybe.
Among them, they explicitly mentioned topics in which they consider they should be trained: problematic consumption, online gambling, managing emotions. They made the suggestions with the conviction that it is crucial to understand the behavior of adolescents in relation to online gambling today to provide effective tools and strategies that promote healthier behaviors in young people.
