Dr. Raghu, an addiction psychiatrist, here! 

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Now getting into today’s topic: gambling on the internet. As a parent, you've probably worried about your teen's screen time, social media use, or video game habits. But there's another digital danger that might not be on your radar: mobile betting apps. That smartphone in your teen’s pocket – the one you thought was just for texting friends and playing games – might be their gateway to a serious gambling problem. Trust me, I see these cases every week.

Why Your Teen Is Susceptible to Gambling

If you're thinking, "My teen would never gamble," you might want to think again. 60% of teenagers have gambled in some form by age 16, and most parents have no idea. The gambling landscape has changed dramatically from our generation's experience. Today's betting doesn't happen in dark casinos or back-alley bookies – it's happening right on your child's phone, often disguised as harmless entertainment.

Your teen can now place bets from:

• Their bedroom while supposedly doing homework

• The school bathroom between classes

• The back seat of your car during family trips

• Even at the dinner table right under your nose

What makes this particularly frightening is how these apps disguise themselves. They often look like regular gaming apps or sports news platforms. Some don't even call themselves gambling apps – they use terms like "prediction games" or "skills-based contests." This can make it difficult for both teens and parents to realize they are “gambling.”

On top of the close proximity of gambling, your teenager's brain is LITERALLY wired to be susceptible to gambling addiction. During adolescence, the reward center of the brain is highly active, but the part responsible for judgment and impulse control (i.e. executive functioning) isn't fully developed. When you add in factors like:

• Peer pressure from friends who are already betting

• Social media influencers promoting betting apps

• The natural teenage desire to make quick money

• The competitive nature of sports and gaming

You have a perfect storm of risk factors that gambling companies are expertly exploiting.

How You Can Keep Your Teen Safe From the Wild, Wild World of Online Gambling 

But this isn’t a helpless situation. There are warning signs you can look out for! As a parent, you know when something's off with your child. Trust your instincts if you notice:

• Your usually open teen becoming secretive about their phone

• Money disappearing from their bank account (or yours)

• Sudden interest in sports statistics and odds

• Emotional highs and lows that seem tied to phone use

• Spending more time alone in their room

• Grades slipping without explanation

• Borrowing or asking for money more than usual

If you suspect a problem, don’t panic. Stay calm so your teen stays calm and:

• Document any evidence you find (screenshots, bank statements)

• Reach out to your child’s school counselor for support

• Consider professional help earlier rather than later

If you find out your teen is gambling, take a moment to collect yourself before addressing the situation. It’s important to express concern without anger and:

• Work with your teen to remove betting apps and block accounts

• Contact support services (listed below)

• Consider family therapy to address underlying issues

If you need help right away, don’t be afraid to reach out. Here are some resources for you and your family!

Immediate Support:

National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700)
They’re available 24/7 and have helped thousands of parents in your situation!

Online Resources for Parents:

• GamCare.org.uk (specific resources for parents)

• ParentResource.net (guides for digital safety)

• SmartRecovery.org (family support programs)

Technical Support:

• Gamban.com (blocks ALL gambling sites and apps)

• FamilyShield (free family protection)

Even if you don’t think your child has a gambling problem, it’s important to have an open dialogue with your teen about gambling and tech use at large. You might be tempted to storm into your teen’s room and demand to see their phone. Don't - they’ll just shut down. Instead, try these conversation starters:

• "Hey, I saw an article about kids making money on sports betting apps. What do you know about that?"

• "I noticed a lot of betting ads during the game we watched. Do your friends ever talk about betting on sports?"

• "I've been hearing about teenagers trading cryptocurrency. Is that something kids at school are into?"

Remember, your goal is to keep communication open, not to interrogate.

TL;DR

The digital gambling industry isn't going anywhere – in fact, it's growing more sophisticated every day. Your best defense is staying informed and maintaining open communication with your child. You don't need to become an expert on gambling addiction, but you do need to stay engaged and aware.

You're not alone in this fight. Thousands of parents are facing the same challenges, and support is available. The most important thing is to act now, before a small problem becomes a crisis.