Training Description:
Youth gambling behaviors are escalating at an alarming rate as online gambling products and services have become ubiquitously accessible—available 24/7 through smartphones, tablets, and computers. Compounding this concern, gambling mechanics and persuasive design techniques have permeated the digital landscape, appearing not only in traditional gambling platforms but also in gaming and social media environments. These design methods exploit vulnerabilities inherent to young people's developing brains, as well as other at-risk populations, particularly those who have experienced toxic stress. The neurological susceptibility of youth makes them especially prone to the addictive patterns these platforms are engineered to create. Empowerment through education is essential. By translating neuroscience into accessible youth prevention education—centering on brain health, addiction mechanisms, and stress responses—we can equip young people with critical understanding. Additionally, developing competencies in media literacy and mental health literacy can enable youth to make informed decisions about their behaviors and recognize how digital environments shape their overall health and wellbeing. This presentation will equip behavioral health clinicians, prevention professionals, school social workers, and teachers with essential knowledge to decode youth behaviors related to gambling, gaming, and digital media use. Through the integrated lens of brain health literacy, media literacy, and mental health literacy, participants will gain practical frameworks for supporting and protecting young people in an increasingly complex digital world.
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