The Pennsylvania departments of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and Education (PDE) are announcing the availability of new, free online resources for Pennsylvania educators and families to learn what problem gambling is, how to recognize warning signs in children, and where to go for help.
March marks the 23rd anniversary of Problem Gambling Awareness Month. The yearly designation is designed to increase public awareness of the availability of treatment and recovery services and encourage health care providers to screen their service recipients for problem gambling.
“Knowledge is power. DDAP and our partners at PDE encourage teachers, students, families, and all Pennsylvanians to learn about the signs of problem gambling and use that knowledge to stop gambling issues before they start,” said DDAP Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “We know that for substance use disorder, with the right treatment and supports, recovery is probable; the same holds true for problem gambling.”
The Promoting Awareness Around Online Gambling and Its Impact Toolkit is designed to be a one-stop-shop for educators and parents offering guidance on various aspects of problem gambling in youth, and insight into why it’s important to avoid gambling-related activities in classrooms, learn gambling terms students may be using, recognize signs of early problem gambling behaviors, and how parents can use parental controls to manage children’s games, apps, and gaming consoles.
The resources also provide guidance on recognizing the signs of early problem gambling behaviors, including:
- Significant time spent on mobile or gaming devices;
- Loss of interest in activities or drop in after-school activities;
- Drop in homework completion or school grades; and
- Increased interest in sports scores and statistics.
“Ensuring the wellness of our students starts with equipping them with the tools they need to recognize when something is dangerous or unhealthy, and to ask for help when they need it,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “Together, the Online Gambling and Information Literacy toolkits provide critical resources that can help educators, learners, and their families thoughtfully navigate today’s online world and avoid negative mental health impacts.”
The Information and Media Literacy Toolkit , which is available to the public on PDE’s website, offers resources about how to recognize biases, distinguish between credible information and misinformation, and create and share content responsibly.
