How to recognize addiction in a teenager
How to spot gambling addiction in a teenager
Early addiction forms unnoticed. It is important to notice the signals in time and take action.
1. Behavioral signs
Passion for games to the detriment of other activities
The teenager begins to spend more and more time betting or "game simulators" with loot boxes, sacrificing hobbies, meetings with friends and sleep.
Secrecy and deceptions
Hides browser history, hides mobile applications from parents, deceives about spending or where time is spent.
Constant discussion of strategy and winnings
Everyday conversations boil down to algorithms of the game, analysis of chances and stories about "almost won" bets.
2. Emotional and psychological cues
Sudden mood swings
A teenager becomes irritable, anxious or aggressive when unable to play or after losing.
Anxiety to "catch up" to losing
After an unsuccessful session, obsessions arise to "return everything" now, without pauses and planning.
Symptoms of stress and insomnia
Constant experiences, difficulties with falling asleep, nightly "hidden" game sessions.
3. Academic and social implications
Falling academic performance
Missing lessons, unfulfilled homework, low grades with a sharp deterioration of situations in a short time.
Social isolation
Refusal from extracurricular activities, circles, meetings with friends, closure in the virtual world of bets.
Conflicts in the family and with classmates
Quarrels on the topic of money, accusations of parents of excessive control, tense situation.
4. Financial characteristics
Unexplained spending
Disappearance of money from the wallet or parent card, requests to "take until tomorrow."
Loans and debts
The emergence of microloans, the use of other people's cards and accounts, hidden costs for virtual bets.
Selling personal items
If the undergrowth begins to sell its things for the sake of new rates - a wake-up call.
5. What to do parents and loved ones
1. Open conversation without accusations
Articulate concerns about health and learning, offer to listen without judgment.
2. Set clear rules and boundaries
Restrict access to devices, set up parental controls, enter family agreements for using the Internet.
3. Contact specialists
Consultation with a psychologist, teenage psychiatrist or gaming addiction specialist will help assess the extent of the problem and choose therapy.
4. Supporting activities
Instead of games, offer joint leisure: sports, creativity, volunteering - switching activity reduces craving.
5. Self-exclusion and technical barriers
With serious signs, connect blocking services for gambling sites and applications (parental control, DNS filters).
Result
You can recognize addiction in a teenager by the combination of behavioral, emotional and financial signs. Timely dialogue, clear family rules and the help of specialists will help prevent the deepening of the problem and return the teenager to a healthy and balanced life.
Early addiction forms unnoticed. It is important to notice the signals in time and take action.
1. Behavioral signs
Passion for games to the detriment of other activities
The teenager begins to spend more and more time betting or "game simulators" with loot boxes, sacrificing hobbies, meetings with friends and sleep.
Secrecy and deceptions
Hides browser history, hides mobile applications from parents, deceives about spending or where time is spent.
Constant discussion of strategy and winnings
Everyday conversations boil down to algorithms of the game, analysis of chances and stories about "almost won" bets.
2. Emotional and psychological cues
Sudden mood swings
A teenager becomes irritable, anxious or aggressive when unable to play or after losing.
Anxiety to "catch up" to losing
After an unsuccessful session, obsessions arise to "return everything" now, without pauses and planning.
Symptoms of stress and insomnia
Constant experiences, difficulties with falling asleep, nightly "hidden" game sessions.
3. Academic and social implications
Falling academic performance
Missing lessons, unfulfilled homework, low grades with a sharp deterioration of situations in a short time.
Social isolation
Refusal from extracurricular activities, circles, meetings with friends, closure in the virtual world of bets.
Conflicts in the family and with classmates
Quarrels on the topic of money, accusations of parents of excessive control, tense situation.
4. Financial characteristics
Unexplained spending
Disappearance of money from the wallet or parent card, requests to "take until tomorrow."
Loans and debts
The emergence of microloans, the use of other people's cards and accounts, hidden costs for virtual bets.
Selling personal items
If the undergrowth begins to sell its things for the sake of new rates - a wake-up call.
5. What to do parents and loved ones
1. Open conversation without accusations
Articulate concerns about health and learning, offer to listen without judgment.
2. Set clear rules and boundaries
Restrict access to devices, set up parental controls, enter family agreements for using the Internet.
3. Contact specialists
Consultation with a psychologist, teenage psychiatrist or gaming addiction specialist will help assess the extent of the problem and choose therapy.
4. Supporting activities
Instead of games, offer joint leisure: sports, creativity, volunteering - switching activity reduces craving.
5. Self-exclusion and technical barriers
With serious signs, connect blocking services for gambling sites and applications (parental control, DNS filters).
Result
You can recognize addiction in a teenager by the combination of behavioral, emotional and financial signs. Timely dialogue, clear family rules and the help of specialists will help prevent the deepening of the problem and return the teenager to a healthy and balanced life.
