| Abstract [eng] |
Relevance of the topic. Research shows that parents of underaged children often do not consider addictive games as a harmful factor for their children's health and well-being. The attitude of parents of underaged children to addictive games may differ depending on gender, age, type of work and employment, education, and marital status. Attitudes also depend on parents' own involvement in addictive games and their children's propensity to play addictive games. Objective. To assess the attitude of parents of underaged children towards addictive games. Tasks. To assess the attitude of parents of underaged children towards addictive games based on socio-demographic indicators (1), parents personal experiences (2) and children's propensity to play addictive games (3). Methodology. An anonymous survey of adult parents in the city of Vilnius, who are raising minor children, was conducted and the answers of 240 respondents were analyzed, which indicated the personal experiences of the respondents in playing addictive games, their attitude towards addictive games and their children's tendency to engage in addictive games. Population distribution was analyzed by socio-demographic indicators, parental addictive games playing experience and children's addictive games involvement. Results. 7 out of 10 parents view addictive games negatively. Addictive games were negatively evaluated more by women than men, by respondents younger than 38 years old, with higher education, unemployed and without a spouse, and almost as negatively by respondents with one child and more than one child in the family. Casino games, betting and wagering, slot machines and computer games were chosen by the respondents as the most addictive gambling games. Those parents who play lottery games and participate in contests on television, radio, social networks, and the press indicated that these games can be addictive. The majority of parents do not think that addictive games contributes to the development of cigarette, drugs and alcohol use or psychological problems. The vast majority of parents agreed with the statement that seeing a parent gambling in childhood increases the likelihood of being addicted to gambling in adulthood. Conclusions. More than half of the parents living in the city of Vilnius, expressed a negative opinion about addictive games, but a considerable number of parents evaluate addictive games positively. Addictive games was viewed more positively by respondents aged 38 and over, employed and with children, as well as by parents who was playing addictive games more than once a month. Most of the parents whose children play virtual games evaluate computer games as negative and potentially addictive addictive games, but do not evaluate addictive games as contributing to the development of cigarette, drugs and alcohol use or psychological problems. Key words: addictive games, parents knowledge, children's gambling, children, parents attitude. |
