Talking to Children about Gambling: When to Start, What to Say, and Red Flags to Monitor

Children, teens, and young adults are surrounded by images of gambling, whether via social media, video games, or advertising. Children observe gambling behaviors, many times without any discussion of parameters for responsibility and safe use, often until it is too late. Parents may feel blindsided when money disappears and a child’s gambling problems are exposed. The impacts of gambling on children and families is becoming more clear, but there are ways to guide children to understand the perils of gambling behaviors, and to enhance their awareness and impact their choices.

The Kentucky Psychological Foundation and Mental Health America – Kentucky are proud to offer a FREE webinar for families on understanding the right times and ways to manage discussions around gambling with children, teens, and young adults. Dr. Rachel Buehner will host Dr. James P. Whelan, University of Memphis Professor and Executive Director of The Institute for Gambling Education and Research, and Dr. Meredith Ginley. Associate Professor & Assistant Chair of Research and Assessment at East Tennessee State University and Clinical Director for The Gambling Clinic, in this discussion of strategies for managing the lure and impacts of gambling for young people.

Topics will include age and developmentally-appropriate conversation prompts, red flags, and an overview of risk factors impacting children, teens, and young adults now.