Residents who support children in North Lincolnshire can register for free online training on the harm gambling and gaming can cause to young people and how to prevent this.
The training, organised by The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust (YGAM), will explore:
- How young people are increasingly exposed to gaming and gambling
- The influence of advertising, particularly around sporting events
- The role of social media, in game purchases, loot boxes and Esports
- The signs of harm and where to seek help
There will also be the opportunity to discuss the issues, as well as accessing information and tools suitable for your workplace and the young people you are supporting.
Two training courses are available. The first course has two parts on two dates; these take place on Tuesday 23 February, from 4pm to 5pm and Tuesday 2 March, from 4pm to 5.30pm. Click here to book on to the session.
The second course takes place on Wednesday 3 March, from 9.30am to 12pm. Click here to book on to the 3 March session.
YGAM is a national charity with a social purpose to inform, educate, safeguard and build digital resilience amongst those who work with young people, helping them to make informed decisions and understand the consequences around gambling and gaming.
While gaming can be an enjoyable experience, connecting friends across communities, it can also pose potential risks, including grooming.
The Children’s Commissioner found that a staggering 93 per cent of young people play video games.
In the Young People and Gambling report, published in 2019, The Gambling Commission discovered that 11 per cent of 11 to 16 year olds, 350,000 people, had spent their own money on a gambling activity in the previous seven days. Moreover, 55,000 young people were already identified as problematic gamblers.
To find out more about the work of The Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust, visit their website.
