Gambling and Young People

Gambling is when someone risks money or something valuable in the hope of winning a prize. It is a game of chance, and the odds of winning are usually low. While gambling is legal for adults in Australia, many young people are exposed to gambling-like experiences from an early age—often without even realising it.

Why It Matters

The part of the brain responsible for decision-making is not fully developed until around age 25. This makes teens more impulsive and less able to understand the risks of gambling. Early exposure can lead to serious problems later in life.

Gamblification: When Games Feel Like Gambling

Many video games now include features that mimic gambling. This trend is called gamblification, and it is becoming more common in digital entertainment.

Examples include:

• Loot boxes: Mystery packs bought with real or in-game money.
• Microtransactions: Small purchases for random rewards.
• Simulated gambling: Games that look and feel like slot machines or roulette.

These features encourage risk-taking and can lead to addictive behaviour—especially when players spend money chasing better outcomes.

Advertising and Normalisation

Young people are constantly exposed to gambling ads—on TV, social media, and during sports broadcasts. Even though there are rules about when gambling can be advertised, loopholes mean kids still see these ads during family-friendly events like weekend football.

This exposure can make gambling seem like a normal, harmless part of life.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

Not all young people who gamble will develop problems, but here are some signs to watch for:

• Asking for money more often
• Skipping school or dropping grades
• Losing interest in hobbies or sports
• Acting withdrawn or anxious
• Talking about betting or sports scores frequently

If you notice several of these signs, it might be time to seek help.

What You Can Do

If you are concerned:

• Start a conversation about gaming and spending habits

• Set boundaries around screen time and purchases
• Seek support from professionals or helplines

Need Help?

Support is available:

• Gambling Help Online: www.gamblinghelponline.org.au
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
• Your local GP or school wellbeing team

The information in this article comes from the Royal Children's Hospital website article Gambling - teens and young people

Australia Moves to Protect Young People Online

The link between children’s mental health and social media is receiving growing attention. In response, the Australian Government will introduce new measures from mid-December requiring certain social media platforms to take steps to prevent children under 16 from creating accounts.

In a June address to the National Press Club, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant outlined the government’s approach to helping children and young people navigate the online world more safely.

She highlighted three key points about the upcoming changes:

1. It is not a ban—it is a delay.
   The goal is to give children more time to develop digital skills and emotional resilience before facing the pressures of social media.
2. The responsibility is on the platforms.
   There will be no penalties for children or parents. Instead, platforms must take reasonable steps to prevent under-16s from signing up—or face consequences.

Support is available.
eSafety provides trusted resources for parents, carers, young people and kids.

Furthermore it offers safety tips and tools for dealing with cyberbullying and image-based abuse with help that is available when it’s needed most.

You can watch the full message and learn more here:

Social media age restrictions | eSafety Commissioner