Delhi Education Department issues advisory to check for gambling disorders in children

The Notice to Parents and Teachers, developed by the central government’s Department of School Education and Literacy, was published by the Department of Education.

Explaining the need for the notice, the circular states that “… the closure of schools due to the pandemic has increased children’s mobile and internet use. However, there are many drawbacks to online gambling. Playing online games results in severe gambling addiction which has been considered a gambling disorder.

The game is designed in such a way that each level is more complicated and complex than the last.

This causes a player to challenge themselves in order to progress in the game. Therefore, playing online games without restriction or self-limitation leads many players to become addicted and are ultimately diagnosed with a gambling disorder. Gaming companies are also emotionally compelling. the child to buy more levels and almost force in-app purchases.

The advisory includes pointers to online safety precautions such as telling children to use screen names and not to reveal their real names; advise them not to communicate with strangers by webcam, private messaging or online chat; advising them not to click on links, images and pop-ups or download software from unknown websites.

Pointers to verify that their behavior is healthy include looking for “abnormally secretive” behavior; a sudden increase in phone numbers and e-mail contacts; sudden change of screens on their device when approached; keep an eye out for falling grades and social behavior; help children understand that some features are designed to increase play time and spend money, and tell them about play.

The advisory also asks teachers and parents to report adverse incidents to the government’s cybercrime reporting portal.