Meanwhile, legal rulings regarding this issue are happening elsewhere in the world. This week, courts in Austria decided that the presence of loot boxes in video games is not enough to classify them as gambling. This decision stands in contrast to the concerns raised by the Common Sense report.
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Urgent Action Required, Says Common Sense
The study also looked at why these young men are gambling in the first place. Among the boys who admitted to gambling, 28% said they do it simply because it is part of the games they enjoy playing. This suggests that the integration of gambling mechanics into popular games is a major driver of the behavior.
This is not the first time this topic has been in the news. A report from the previous year focused specifically on “skins gambling,” which involves using virtual weapon skins as currency. That report found that 47% of young people who owned tradeable skins had used them to gamble on third-party websites. The earlier report called on game developers, specifically naming Valve, to do more to stop minors from accessing these gambling sites.
Valve has taken some steps to address the issue in the past. They have issued bans on the promotion of skins gambling and case-opening sites. However, the new report suggests that more needs to be done.
Based on the new survey results, Steyer believes that the responsibility to fix this problem lies with everyone. He noted that the research shows a pivotal moment for the well-being and future of young men. Without proper safeguards and support, many boys may develop risky relationships with gambling before they are old enough to understand the serious consequences. He urged parents, educators, the gaming industry, and policymakers to treat this issue with the urgency it demands.
Peer pressure was identified as another major reason for minors gambling. The data showed a stark difference based on social circles. Among boys who have friends that gamble, over 80% gamble themselves. In contrast, fewer than 20% of boys gamble if their friends do not.
The report also placed a significant amount of blame on social media companies. It claims that their algorithms are exposing teenagers to gambling content. Approximately half of the adolescent boys who gamble see online material that promotes gambling. This content is usually delivered to them through algorithm recommendations on their social media feeds.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has recently faced criticism. Accusations suggest the company generates significant revenue from advertising illegal gambling services. These advertisements often lead to sites with few age-verification checks, allowing minors to gamble easily.
Some countries are already taking strict measures. Australia has firm rules regarding games that include gambling-like mechanisms, such as loot boxes. They have also recently implemented a ban preventing children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms.
Other nations are considering similar actions. In France, lawmakers recently approved legislation that proposes banning children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms. The bill is currently waiting for a vote in the Senate.
Parents Must Deal With Their Sons
In addition to calling on lawmakers, the Common Sense report offers advice for parents. The group recommends that parents have honest and ongoing conversations with their sons about gambling. These talks should start early in adolescence and be revisited as the children grow older.
The group added further advice for protection. To further protect their sons from forming gambling habits, parents can monitor their children’s social media feeds. They should also set clear and strict rules regarding online spending. These measures could help reduce the exposure to gambling mechanics found in modern gaming.
