Gaming, Gambling and Problematic Media Internet Use: Youth Prevention Curriculum

With the rise of digital technology, gaming, gambling, and excessive internet use have become pressing concerns for youth, posing risks to mental health, academic performance, and social development. This presentation helping professionals with effective strategies to address these challenges. Participants will explore the unique vulnerabilities of youth, including the role of brain development, social influences, and the design of digital platforms in fostering risky behaviors. Understanding of clinical features, co-occurring behaviors, and identification of behaviors on the spectrum of behaviors. Evidence-based prevention frameworks, such as social norms education, skill-building for self-regulation, and media literacy, will be discussed. The class emphasizes culturally relevant and age-appropriate approaches, including engaging families, schools, and communities in prevention efforts. Participants will gain practical tools to identify early warning signs, foster protective factors, and deliver impactful interventions tailored to diverse populations. By the end of this session, attendees will be prepared to implement comprehensive prevention strategies that empower youth to navigate the digital world responsibly and sustainably.

Price: Free

Credit

1 CE

Prerequisite

None

Classification

None

Recommended for

Mental Health Professionals

Class Instructor

Dr. Stephanie Diez-Morel

Class Description

With the rise of digital technology, gaming, gambling, and excessive internet use have become pressing concerns for youth, posing risks to mental health, academic performance, and social development. This presentation helping professionals with effective strategies to address these challenges. Participants will explore the unique vulnerabilities of youth, including the role of brain development, social influences, and the design of digital platforms in fostering risky behaviors. Understanding of clinical features, co-occurring behaviors, and identification of behaviors on the spectrum of behaviors. Evidence-based prevention frameworks, such as social norms education, skill-building for self-regulation, and media literacy, will be discussed. The class emphasizes culturally relevant and age-appropriate approaches, including engaging families, schools, and communities in prevention efforts. Participants will gain practical tools to identify early warning signs, foster protective factors, and deliver impactful interventions tailored to diverse populations. By the end of this session, attendees will be prepared to implement comprehensive prevention strategies that empower youth to navigate the digital world responsibly and sustainably.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this class, you will be able to:

  • Analyze the impact of brain development, social influences, and digital platform design on youth susceptibility to gaming, gambling, and excessive internet use, using at least two evidence-based examples.
  • Identify key strategies for implementing social norms education, self-regulation skill-building, and media literacy programs tailored to youth populations, citing at least one effective approach for each strategy.
  • Outline a practical approach for engaging families, schools, and community stakeholders in promoting responsible digital behaviors among youth, including one measurable action for each group to foster protective factors and improve digital behaviors.

Educational Goals

  • Identify Youth Vulnerabilities and Risk Factors
  • Apply Evidence-Based Prevention Strategies
  • Engage Families and Communities in Prevention Efforts

Outline

  • Identification of Gaming & Spectrum of Behaviors: 5 minutes
  • Associated Biopsychosocial Factors and Co-occurring Symptomologies: 5 minutes
  • Intersection of Gambling & Gaming: 10 minutes
  • Role of Technology Design and Digital Platforms: 10 minutes
  • Evidence-Based Approaches for Discussion and Intervention: 15 minutes
  • Targeted Prevention Efforts and Strategies: 10 minutes
  • Review of Program Evaluation for Prevention Program: 5 minutes

Class Content