Staying Safe Around Others

Gambling

As your child starts to explore the online world, they may come across different forms of gambling. The minimum legal age for gambling in the UK is 18 years old, and while it used to be confined to scratch cards, betting and slot machines, it's now much easier for young people to access.

From social gaming to eSports betting, gambling involves risking money or anything of value to predict the outcome of a game of chance. Most young people will have no problems with gambling, however, for some, it can easily spiral out of control and affect their everyday life.

Dive Deeper

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Where do children access gambling?

Gambling under the age of 18 is illegal in the UK, however gambling in different forms can be accessible to children and young people through their devices on:

Social Media
Online Gaming
Sports Apps and Websites

Gambling is a risky activity, and young people are more likely to experience gambling ralted harm if they:

Are introduced to gambling at an early age
Encounter peer pressure from friends
Have family members who gamble
Have had an early big win

Gambling Related Harm

While gambling can start as a fun activity, it can be addictive and become a problem quickly. Examples of gambling related harm can include:

Affecting their mental health, such as developing anxiety or low mood.
Using gambling to mask mental health worries.
Getting into financial troubles, like borrowing money to gamble or getting into debt.
Developing negative behaviours like lying or becoming secretive about their habits.

Spotting the Signs

A problem with gambling can affect a young person's life in many ways. If you are worried that your child or young person may be struggling with gambling related harm, look out for some common warning signs:

Changes in their mood, for example feeling more anxious, depressed or worried about gambling
Asking for or borrowing money from family members or friends
Less involvement in hobbies or their usual activities
Spending unexplained time away from home, or withdrawing from their family and friends
Missing school or their performance at school dropping
Being secretive or lying
Having a keen interest in gambling topics in conversation
Changes in behaviour, like being distracted, moody, sad or worried.

If you recognise some of these signs in your child or young person, talk to them about your concerns in a supportive and non-judgemental way.

Tips on how to start conversations about gambling

Practical Tips for Young People Online

Online technology moves at a fast pace with new apps and programmes being developed all the time. To help your child or young person be safer online, follow these tips:

Do:

Learn about the games they enjoy and play including being aware of what they look like and link to.
Ask about who they are playing with and talk about any language you don't understand.
Use 'airplane mode' for younger children to avoid accidental purchases of paid games.
Look for PEGI ratings and App Store ratings to choose age-appropriate games.

Don't:

Leave your child or young person playing a game for several hours, encourage them to take breaks and check in with what they are playing.
Save your payment details to the device your child uses to avoid accidental purchases of paid games.
Ignore changes in behaviour, for example, anger, frustration, tiredness or anxiety as these can be signs of gambling related harm.

Find more advice about staying safe online

Parents Who Gamble

For some parents, gambling can be an occasional bet with the ability to stop. However, for some, it can be addictive which can affect the whole family. Parents' attitudes to gambling can have a big influence on their children and young people, making it more likely they will start to gamble.

When a parent struggles with gambling related harm, it can affect their child by:

Stopping them from trusting their parents if they can't keep promises, or suffer financial trouble.
Making them take on extra responsibilities, like looking after younger siblings or supporting their parent.
Cause them mental health issues, like anxiety or low mood about the situation.
Seeing the consequences of financial difficulties caused by gambling.

Find out more about how a gambling problem can affect your life

Recovery & Support

If you, your child or your family are experiencing gambling related harm, you can find support from local and national gambling support services.

Different forms of support that may be offered to you and your family could include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Family therapy
Counselling
Tools and resources to support recovery

Find more information from NHS East Of England Gambling Service

Gambling should never be used as a way to make money or fix financial problems. The longer you gamble the more you can lose, and it's easy to become addicted which can make financial situations worse.

If you or your child are facing financial difficulties due to gambling, gaining back control of your finances is an important step to recovery.

Find support with managing money through GamCare

Find more support for money worries

Social media is a big part of a young person's life and their phones can be a gateways to unhealthy habits. It's useful to understand that unlimited internet usage can allow young people to access gambling websites, gambling apps and third-party gambling apps through social media and eSports.

As a parent/carer if you are worried about what your child is accessing on their phone, talk to them. There are also options to monitor their phone or limit apps that could pose a risk by checking the phone settings and/or network provider.

It can be hard to understand all of the ways young people can access online gambling, so if you need to talk about gambling related harm or financial difficulty affecting your family, you can always contact Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 for advice and guidance.

Who Can Help?

Big Deal is a website aimed at children and young people to educate them about gambling and offer support including a live chat service and an advice helpline on 0808 8020 133 open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

GamCare support adults to understand their gambling habits and offer support to recover from gambling addiction. They offer a Nation Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can contact the Healthy Child Service team by calling Just One Number on 0300 300 0123 or texting Parentline on 07520 631590. Our opening hours are 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays).

If your child is 11-24 years old, FYI Norfolk is an interactive NHS website just for them. It provides reliable and trustworthy advice and support on lots of health and wellbeing topics.

For 10 to 18-year-olds, Kooth is a free, confidential and safe way to receive online counselling, advice and emotional well-being support.

Childline - Children and young people under 19 can call 0800 1111 for free support.

Young Minds Parents Helpline - Call 0808 802 5544 for free Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm.

To speak to other Norfolk parents and carers, you can join our online community forum below.